Although FromSoftware is known for keeping a very tight lid on its projects, the silence surrounding the Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive The Duskbloods is getting deafening. After resurfacing during last month's Nintendo Direct, we have learned that a closed network test is scheduled for this Summer, and today we have finally learned when the Japanese development studio, will lift the veil from the game it reportedly spent the most time on to date.
"We will be hosting a network test for The Duskbloods on Nintendo Switch 2 from Aug. 21 (Fri.) - Aug. 24 (Mon.). Participant registration will begin on July 22 (Wed.)" a post on X reads.
The Duskbloods official website provides some additional information on the upcoming playtest, starting with its main goals and what players should expect to experience:
- We will connect a large number of players simultaneously to verify gameplay while putting a load on the game server.
- We will test for various problems that may occur when multiple people play together in different network environments, and various phenomena that may occur by having many users participate.
- When real players test the game together, the developers can gather data about how well the game is balanced.
- The Duskbloods Network Test allows for up to eight players to participate together in each of the multiplayer matches while the game is still in development.
The game's official website also provided some more information on the playtest timings, which will be limited to 3-hour windows across the four days, much like the Elden Ring Nightreign network test was conducted last year.
| Date | PT (Pacific Daylight Time) | CEST (Central European Summer Time) | JST (Japan Standard Time) |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 21, 2026 (FRI) | 03:00 - 06:59 19:00 - 22:59 | 12:00 - 15:59 | 19:00 - 22:59 |
| August 22, 2026 (SAT) | 11:00 - 14:59 | 04:00 - 07:59 20:00 - 23:59 | 11:00 - 14:59 |
| August 23, 2026 (SUN) | 03:00 - 06:59 19:00 - 22:59 | 12:00 - 15:59 | 03:00 - 06:59 19:00 - 22:59 |
| August 24, 2026 (MON) | N/A | 04:00 - 07:59 | 11:00 - 14:59 |
As FromSoftware proved it is more than capable of handling a multiplayer-focused experience with the aforementioned Elden Ring Nightreign, it will be very interesting to see how The Duskbloods will be handled, especially as this larger project is being directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki himself. Hopefully, the experience will retain that FromSoftware signature feel to tide fans over the next big single player experience which, as president Hidetaka Miyazaki himself suggested, will not compromise on the studio's values.
About the author: Francesco De Meo has been covering video games and technology since 2012, starting his career at small outlets like Gamersyndrome and GeekSnack. After joining Wccftech gaming section in 2015, he quickly expanded his video gaming coverage with in-depth reporting, interviews with iconic industry figures such as Grasshopper Manufacture founder and No More Heroes creator Goichi "Suda51" Suda, Resident Evil series creator Shinji Mikami, Team NINJA's president and Nioh series director Fumihiko Yasuda, and Silent Hill creator Keiichiro Toyama, reviews and on-the-ground coverage of major industry events such as Gamescom and E3. When he's not reporting or reviewing, Francesco can be found playing the genres he loves most, spending time with his six cats, reading, writing music, playing guitar and drumming for his progressive rock band.
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