FromSoftware’s gothic multiplayer adventure The Duskbloods has quickly become one of the most compelling reasons to own a Nintendo Switch 2, and fans hungry for an early taste have been keeping a close eye on the game’s Network Test. This closed online playtest offers a select group of players the chance to sample the vampire-themed PvPvE experience ahead of its planned 2026 launch — though the road hasn’t been entirely smooth. Here’s everything you need to know about the test schedule, the cancelled opening session, and how participation works.
What Is The Duskbloods?
Revealed during Nintendo’s Switch 2 presentation in April 2025, The Duskbloods is a brand-new IP from the studio behind Elden Ring and Dark Souls, directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki himself. Published by Nintendo as a console exclusive for the Switch 2, the game throws up to eight players into lavish, Victorian-flavoured PvPvE showdowns between rival vampire bloodlines. Between its striking art direction and FromSoftware’s pedigree, it instantly became one of the most talked-about titles in the Switch 2 lineup.
The Duskbloods Network Test Schedule
The Duskbloods Network Test is scheduled to run in late August, giving a limited audience their first hands-on opportunity with the game. Rather than one marathon session, the test is split into separate online sessions, with exact start times communicated to confirmed participants through official channels. Because this is a technical test rather than a demo, expect limited content, potential server instability, and non-final gameplay balance — all part of the bargain when playtesting a game this early.
Update: First Session Cancelled
In a twist that caught many players off guard, the first Network Test session was cancelled. Nintendo and FromSoftware pulled the plug on the opening playtest, a reminder that closed tests exist precisely to surface problems before launch. The developers have indicated that the remaining scheduled sessions are still intended to go ahead, so selected players should keep an eye on official announcements for updated timings and instructions rather than assuming the whole event is off.
How to Join the Network Test
Unlike open demos, The Duskbloods Network Test is a closed test, meaning access was by application only. Interested players had to register during a sign-up window held in July, with participants chosen from the applicant pool and notified afterwards. A Nintendo Account was required to apply, and participants need a Nintendo Switch 2 to take part, since the game is exclusive to the new hardware.
If you didn’t apply during the July window, unfortunately there’s no back door — codes aren’t being sold or distributed publicly, and begging in the comments section won’t help. That said, FromSoftware has a history of running multiple network tests for major releases, so a second chance later in the development cycle can’t be ruled out.
Why This Test Matters
Beyond the hype, the Network Test serves a genuinely important purpose. The Duskbloods is built around online multiplayer, so FromSoftware needs real-world data on matchmaking, server load, and netcode performance — the kind of information no internal test can replicate at scale. For players, it’s also the first opportunity to see how the studio’s signature combat translates into a competitive multiplayer format, and early impressions from test sessions will likely shape expectations heading into 2026. If the Elden Ring network tests taught us anything, it’s that these events are also massive hype engines in their own right.
Prepare for Launch with TURGAME
While you wait for The Duskbloods to arrive in 2026, it’s a great time to stock up on Switch 2 essentials. You can grab Nintendo eShop gift cards and game codes at TURGAME.com, making it easy to fund your wallet, secure day-one purchases, and pick up Nintendo Switch Online membership — which online-focused titles like this one are all but guaranteed to require.
Source: Nintendo Life