The Duskbloods Network Test Dates and Details Revealed

FromSoftware reveals network test dates, participation requirements, multiplayer details, and fresh insights into The Duskbloods while release window speculation continues.

Nintendo Switch 2 owners who want to experience The Duskbloods are finally given an official chance to accomplish just that. Nintendo and FromSoftware have revealed the first network test for the game, offering select gamers early access to the highly anticipated multiplayer action title later this summer.

The studios also released a detailed FAQ with the news, describing how the test will function, what players can expect, and certain critical limits that will be in place throughout the event. This network test will allow FromSoftware to stress-test its online infrastructure ahead of launch, while also gaining useful gameplay input from actual gamers.

The test will not be a traditional demo; instead, it will be used to identify issues, balance gameplay systems, and test server reliability ahead of the game's launch.

The application window for the test will be open from July 22 to July 28. To be eligible to play, players must own a Nintendo Switch 2, have a valid Nintendo Account, keep an active Nintendo Switch Online subscription, and apply during the registration period. Successful candidates will be notified on August 7, and download codes for the test version will be provided before the event.

The network test will take place between August 21 and August 23, with various play sessions scheduled throughout the three-day window. Friday, one session in the morning, one in the evening. Saturday, a midday session. Sunday, like Friday, one in the morning, one in the evening. Players chosen for the test should be able to download the client on August 18, to be ready ahead of the actual server launch.

The main goal of the test was to check three key areas before launch, FromSoftware said. The first is server performance, with developers intending to stress-test the game’s online infrastructure by pulling large numbers of players together at the same time. The second is multiplayer functionality, ensuring the game is reliable across multiple network conditions while identifying unanticipated technical issues.

The third purpose is gameplay balance. External player data can uncover balance issues that internal testing can’t, allowing developers to make improvements before release. Therefore, participants should expect that mechanics, character balance, and overall gameplay systems will change between the network test and the final version of the game.

The test will include games for up to eight people, giving one of the best insights yet into how the Duskbloods’ online experience is supposed to work. With work still underway, FromSoftware has advised participants that errors, disconnects, and other technical issues are not only conceivable but expected during the testing period.

This method will certainly be recognizable to people who've played FromSoftware network testing in the past, including projects such as Elden Ring.

Things like temporary server outages, matchmaking issues, and sudden crashes are par for the course during early online testing, as the whole point of these occurrences is to find weaknesses before launch, not to provide a polished gameplay experience. A recently released FAQ addresses several queries potential participants might have.

Most importantly, FromSoftware warns that the network test is not a playable demo. Instead, it is an unfinished version of the game, developed for technical verification purposes. Players will only be able to get a small taste of the total game on the test, so don’t expect to experience the full journey. Some gameplay systems, maps, characters, or mechanics may also vary drastically from what makes it into the retail edition.

The FAQ also states that players don’t need to pay for extra access, beyond the necessary hardware and an active Nintendo Switch Online membership. However, you have to be connected to the internet at all times during the test. One restriction is especially remarkable: media sharing. Players won’t be able to stream any footage, images, or gameplay videos captured during the network test.

The report claims Nintendo's capture button would be disabled during gameplay, suggesting that Nintendo and FromSoftware want to maintain a firm hand on pre-release footage while development is underway. Players are asked to check the official network test website, in-game notices, and FromSoftware’s official social media accounts for updates throughout the event. You may also provide feedback, bug reports, and technical support requests via Nintendo’s support channels.

While the network test is limited to a small section of the game, gamers will get their first real taste of The Duskbloods' unique multiplayer architecture. FromSoftware has revealed that the game will feature both player-versus-player and player-versus-environment modes. But precisely how those systems interact is one of the major unresolved puzzles surrounding the project.

From what we know so far, it looks like the matches are about players chasing various things in the same environment.

Some players may have to kill off other players; others may be tasked with taking down bosses or completing specific tasks. There may also be dynamic occurrences during the game that change the player's aims in the contest. This would lead to random encounters within a session. How long each match will be is not yet known, and many aspects of the game are likely to remain a secret until players can get hands-on experience during the network test in August.

The Duskbloods does not yet have an official release date, though a recent network test has been reported, so there is still some back-and-forth over whether the game will be ready in 2026 or in fall 2027. Publisher Kadokawa has officially kept both The Duskbloods and Elden Ring listed for a 2026 release. Executives repeated that release aim during the company’s investor briefing earlier this year, even as Elden Ring’s Nintendo Switch 2 version received its confirmed launch date of August 28, 2026.

That schedule has, of course, led to speculation in the gaming community. Some believe it could be difficult to release another major FromSoftware game only a few months after, particularly following an extended network test period. Others say there is still time for more marketing, post-test tweaks, and a late-year delivery if work goes smoothly.

Adding to the discussion, famed Nintendo source Nate the Hate has already stated that the game is targeting the latter half of 2026. The source has a great track record of leaking accurate Nintendo-related information. Still, these allegations should be taken with a grain of salt until Nintendo or FromSoftware formally announces a release date.

Another thing that stands out is the game's official player count. According to its eShop page on Nintendo, The Duskbloods supports one to eight players, leading many fans to presume there may be some form of solo play. Nintendo and FromSoftware have not detailed how the single-player experience would work. The listing does, however, hint that players might not need to use a complete multiplayer lobby to take part.

Some fans have compared it to the Nightreign in Elden Ring, which can be played solo but is primarily designed for multiplayer co-op.

If a similar technique is taken, then AI-controlled characters might be substituted for human players in offline sessions. That’s guesswork, though, and there are no indications as to how solo play will actually work. For now, Nintendo and FromSoftware are still describing The Duskbloods as a multiplayer-focused game, so the next August network test will be the first significant chance for players to witness how its ambitious PvPvE formula comes together in practice.

With applications beginning later this month and testing set for August, fans will soon get their first good hands-on impression of one of the most anticipated exclusives coming to the Nintendo Switch 2. It remains to be seen if the game will finally drop before the end of 2026 or slide into early 2027, but the impending test will likely give the best look yet at FromSoftware's newest multiplayer effort.