Duskbloods by FromSoftware Set for Closed Network Test Launch Date

It looks like we won’t have to wait too long to get a clearer picture of how The Duskbloods will unfold. The next title from the creators of Dark Souls and Elden Ring will soon be available for play, with a Closed Network Test set for next month.

Applications for this test will be open from July 22 at 10 a.m. EDT until July 28 at 9:59 a.m. EDT, so make sure to bring your Silver Scarabs for some good luck. Just a heads-up: to apply and take part in the network test, you’ll need a Nintendo Switch 2 and an active Nintendo Switch online membership. This requirement for an online membership for demos and free downloads is a bit unusual, as it’s primarily a move seen from Nintendo among the major console makers, which makes it interesting that FromSoftware is developing a Switch 2-exclusive multiplayer game. The network test itself will take place from August 21 to August 23.

The Duskbloods marks FromSoftware’s latest venture into multiplayer-only experiences, following the unexpected success of Elden Ring: Nightreign. The game was first unveiled during a 2025 Nintendo Direct, with a recent livestream hinting at the upcoming network test.

With the test just weeks away, FromSoftware has been surprisingly tight-lipped about the game, and the latest trailer revealed only a few specifics. The announcement described it as “a PvPvE title with online multiplayer at its core, where up to eight players compete against each other and face off against formidable enemies.” The trailer showcases a diverse cast of characters, including a Victorian noble, a dinosaur, a guy in pajamas, and a steampunk figure with a jetpack. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, though it does maintain a gothic-horror, vampire-themed aesthetic that has drawn comparisons to Bloodborne.

The news that FromSoftware is pursuing another multiplayer title, rather than their signature intricately crafted single-player RPGs, has sparked some skepticism. We’ll find out if The Duskbloods can win over critics when players get their hands on it in about a month.