FromSoftware has opened sign-ups for a closed network test of “The Duskbloods,” its upcoming PvPvE multiplayer exclusive for Nintendo Switch 2. Applications opened July 22 and run through July 28, with the test itself taking place across five sessions between August 21 and August 24.
What the Network Test Covers
The Duskbloods is FromSoftware’s first major departure from single-player action RPGs like Elden Ring and the Dark Souls series, built instead around session-based online play. Up to eight players drop into a match as “Bloodsworn,” each handed a randomized quest with victory conditions that can help or hinder the other participants, creating a mix of competition and forced cooperation.
Nintendo and FromSoftware say the network test will focus on server load, matchmaking stability, and overall game balance rather than showcasing final content. To participate, players need a Nintendo Switch 2 console and an active Nintendo Switch Online membership. Sign-ups close July 28 at 6:59 a.m. PDT, and selected participants will be notified afterward with download instructions.
Why This Test Matters
The Duskbloods was first revealed as a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive, marking a notable partnership between Nintendo and FromSoftware, a studio best known for punishing, atmospheric action games. Because the title leans so heavily on live multiplayer systems, a public network test is a bigger deal than it would be for a traditional single-player release. Server stability and matchmaking are difficult to validate internally at scale, which is likely why FromSoftware is running dedicated test sessions months ahead of launch.
The test also gives the studio a chance to gather balance data on the quest-based victory conditions, a system unlike anything in its previous catalog. How players respond to being handed objectives that can sabotage others in the same match will likely shape adjustments before the game’s 2026 release.
The Duskbloods closed network test is a rare early look at FromSoftware’s biggest structural experiment yet: a session-based multiplayer game built for Nintendo Switch 2. With sign-ups open through July 28 and testing scheduled for late August, players interested in a hands-on preview should apply soon.
