FromSoftware is ready to show off its mysterious new multiplayer project. The studio behind Elden Ring and Dark Souls just announced a closed network test for its upcoming game, The Duskbloods. According to the official announcement on the FromSoftware website, players can sign up to participate starting next Wednesday. The test sessions will go live late next month. This is a big deal for fans eager to see how the developer handles a dedicated multiplayer console exclusive.
The signup window is tight. Applications open next Wednesday morning and close 6 days later on the following Tuesday. If you get selected, the studio will send you an eShop download code on a Friday in early next month. But there is a catch. Nintendo is pulling a frustrating move by requiring a paid online subscription just to download and play this free test. It is a strange requirement for a pre release demo, especially for a game that only exists on the Nintendo Switch 2 hardware.
The actual test will run over a single weekend next month. FromSoftware is breaking the event into 5 separate sessions. Each session is scheduled to last exactly 4 hours. These short windows are designed to crush the game servers on purpose. The developers want to monitor high traffic stress, track down connection issues, and see how the netcode behaves when 8 players crowd into the same combat space.
We still have many questions about what this game actually is. FromSoftware has been quiet about the details. They first revealed the project during a Nintendo Direct broadcast last year, and the reception was mixed. It is a PvPvE game at its core. This means 8 players will fight both each other and computer controlled monsters in a gothic horror setting.
The visual style has drawn immediate comparisons to Bloodborne, but the character designs are wild. The announcement trailer features a bizarre mix of fighters, including a Victorian aristocrat, a dinosaur, a steampunk character with a jetpack, and a warrior in pajamas. It looks incredibly chaotic. This is a major departure from the single player RPGs that made the studio famous. Some fans are skeptical about a multiplayer only focus, especially after the studio found success with Elden Ring Nightreign. This upcoming test will be the first real chance to see if the gameplay can win over the doubters.
