The Duskbloods test results are live, revealing who made the cut for FromSoftware’s upcoming 8-player PvPvE action game on Nintendo Switch 2.
Key Highlights
- Test results are live
- Test starts August 21
- Eight-player PvPvE battles
- Bloodsworn have unique abilities
- First Blood drives matches
- Global launch planned 2026
The Duskbloods is an upcoming multiplayer action-RPG developed by FromSoftware and directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki, launching exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2.
The latest updates and details regarding the title include:
Selection Results Live: Official results for the highly anticipated Closed Network Test were released. Applicants can now log into their Nintendo accounts to check their selection status.
Test Schedule: The private network test will run from August 21 to August 24, 2026, across five distinct four-hour windows.
Distribution Date: Selected players will receive their digital download codes starting August 18, 2026.
Test Goals: The playtest will explicitly evaluate server loads, 8-player network stability, and overall PvPvE game balance.
Gameplay Mechanics and Structure
- Genre: An online-focused 8-player PvPvE (Player vs. Player vs. Environment) extraction/action game.
- The Bloodsworn: Players control pre-made, vampire-like historical warriors known as "Bloodsworn". Each possesses unique superhuman abilities, customizable kits, and distinct weapons.
- Core Objective: Matches revolve around competing factions of players and AI enemies fighting to claim a powerful resource known as "First Blood".
- Match Roles: Gameplay introduces dynamic match mechanics where players can be designated as a "destined rival" or "destined companion," shifting objective priorities on the fly.
- Mobility: Movement is significantly faster than standard Dark Souls pacing, integrating high-mobility tools like jetpacks, massive leaps, and aggressive melee kicks.
Setting and Aesthetic
Atmosphere: The game features a heavy Victorian and Gothic horror aesthetic, closely drawing comparisons to FromSoftware's Bloodborne.
The Lore: Set during the "Twilight of Humanity," a cataclysmic event causing multiple timelines and eras to collapse into each other. This narrative allows maps to span diverse architecture, including industrial train stations, clock towers, and ancient churches.
Release Window
While parent company Kadokawa has reaffirmed a global 2026 release window, an exact launch date has not yet been announced. Because FromSoftware is releasing Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition on the Switch 2 in late August, analysts expect The Duskbloods to target a late October to December 2026 launch.
Final Verdict
The Duskbloods is shaping up as a bold multiplayer experiment from FromSoftware. With its closed test approaching, players will soon get their first major look at its PvPvE systems and fast-paced combat.