Ethan Crossfield 
FromSoftware has ended the first session of The Duskbloods’ closed network test ahead of schedule after players encountered widespread server problems. Many participants could not get past the main menu, turning the debut of the Switch 2-exclusive multiplayer project into an immediate test of the studio’s online infrastructure.
What happened during The Duskbloods’ first test
The opening session was scheduled to run from 3:00 a.m. PT/6:00 a.m. ET until 7:00 a.m. PT/10:00 a.m. ET. Instead, a significant number of registered testers reported being unable to connect, with the game leaving them at the main menu rather than allowing them into the test.
The login failures continued long enough for FromSoftware to bring the session to a premature close. In its public statement, the studio apologized to players, acknowledged the game server trouble, and said it would use the interruption to improve the servers. FromSoftware also said it would share more information about future sessions once it had further updates.
Why the disruption matters
A closed network test is intended to expose connection, matchmaking, and server-capacity problems before a broader release. For The Duskbloods, this first session was particularly important because the game is built around competitive PvPvE multiplayer, where reliable online access is central to the experience rather than an optional feature.
The test’s rough opening does not by itself establish how the finished game will perform, but it does show that the current test environment was not ready for the number or behavior of players attempting to sign in. The early shutdown also means many participants received little or no opportunity to evaluate the game during the first scheduled window.
That makes the incident relevant beyond a single failed session. Testers are not only providing gameplay feedback; their attempts to connect are helping FromSoftware identify the infrastructure issues that could affect later sessions.
What to watch next
Additional closed network test sessions were scheduled for 7:00 p.m. PT/10:00 p.m. ET on the same day, followed by more sessions on August 22 and 23 at various times. At the time of the studio’s announcement, it was unclear whether those windows would proceed as planned or be adjusted while server work continued.
Players should therefore watch FromSoftware’s future updates before treating the remaining schedule as certain. The most useful signal will be whether the studio confirms new session times and reports that the login bottleneck has been addressed. Until then, hands-on coverage and newly released gameplay footage offer a way to learn more about The Duskbloods without relying on access to the affected test.
Key takeaways for players and viewers
- The first closed network test session ended before its planned finish.
- Many testers were unable to move beyond the main menu.
- FromSoftware is investigating server improvements before providing further updates.
- The evening session and the August 22–23 windows may be affected, but no specific changes were confirmed.
- The Duskbloods is a Switch 2-exclusive PvPvE multiplayer game.
Expert View
This is an embarrassing start, but it is also the kind of failure a network test is designed to uncover before launch. The important measure now is not whether the first window went smoothly—it clearly did not—but whether FromSoftware communicates quickly and demonstrates that later sessions can support players reliably. For a multiplayer game whose appeal depends on populated, stable matches, fixing access is the first piece of credibility the studio needs to establish.
