The Duskbloods Network Test: Everything We Know

FromSoftware dropped a bomb this week: The Duskbloods, their mysterious Switch 2 exclusive, is getting a closed network test from August 21 to 23. Registration opens July 22 and runs through July 28. If you’ve been waiting for any concrete sign that this game is real and playable, this is it.

What the Network Test Tells Us

The test supports up to 8 players in multiplayer matches. That’s the biggest number FromSoftware has ever put in a PvPvE context. For comparison, Elden Ring’s colosseum modes cap at 6, and the base game’s multiplayer is 4-player co-op with 2 invaders.

TechRadar’s coverage confirmed the 8-player matchmaking detail, and VGC added that the test will include specific game modes rather than a free-roam slice. This is not a beta — it’s a focused network infrastructure test. FromSoftware is checking whether their servers can handle eight simultaneous players in a single session without melting down.

Why This Matters

The Duskbloods is FromSoftware’s first Switch 2 exclusive. It’s also their first game that appears to be built around multiplayer as a core mechanic rather than a co-op overlay. From the trailers, the aesthetic is bloodborne-esque gothic horror with a twist — an “elderly gentleman” rat replaces the traditional maiden, and the setting swaps Yharnam for what looks like a gilded, decaying Parisian cityscape.

The Polygon interview with the dev team hints at structural changes. The Duskbloods trades FromSoft’s usual “sweet maidens” for a rat character that Polygon described as “gilded and winged.” The tone shift is deliberate — FromSoftware is testing whether their formula works outside the Souls framework.

What Players Need to Know

Test dates: August 21-23. Registration: July 22-28. Sign up at campaign.theduskbloods.jp.

Platform: Switch 2 only. This is a timed exclusive — there’s no word on a PC or PS5 port yet, but given FromSoftware’s history, it’s a matter of when, not if.

What to expect: 8-player matches, likely a mix of co-op and competitive elements. Don’t expect a full demo — this is a network test, not a preview build. The content will be minimal, but the glimpse into FromSoftware’s multiplayer architecture will tell us a lot about the final game’s scope.

The Verdict

The Duskbloods is the most interesting unknown quantity in FromSoftware’s catalog since Sekiro. A Switch 2 exclusive, built around 8-player multiplayer, with a rat as your guide. If it works, it’s a masterstroke. If it doesn’t, it’s a fascinating failure. The network test in August will give us the first real answer.