Ethan Crossfield 
Players selected for The Duskbloods’ first network test should wait for FromSoftware’s next update before planning around the remaining sessions. The August 21 test was cut short after widespread login problems prevented many Nintendo Switch 2 owners from reaching the game, turning an important multiplayer trial into an early server failure.
What changed during The Duskbloods test?
The opening session began with participants reporting that they could not connect to The Duskbloods’ servers or enter matches. FromSoftware Player Support confirmed that the issue was under investigation, but the connection problems did not improve enough for the scheduled test to continue. The studio ultimately ended the session early and apologized to players who had been waiting to take part.
The network test was intended to expose problems, so technical issues were not entirely unexpected. FromSoftware designed the event to place significant pressure on its infrastructure and gather data from different network environments. However, the scale of the login trouble meant many selected players could not meaningfully test the game at all.
Who is affected by the server problems?
The immediate impact falls on the Switch 2 owners selected for the test, particularly those who adjusted their schedules or got up early to play during the opening window. Instead of trying the game’s multiplayer systems, many spent the session repeatedly attempting to connect.
The Duskbloods is a major multiplayer departure for FromSoftware. Its matches are built around PvPvE encounters for as many as eight players, making reliable online infrastructure central to the experience. A failed login process affects more than convenience: it prevents the developer from collecting the player and network data needed to evaluate those matches properly.
Community reactions have ranged from understandable frustration to cautious acceptance. Some players have treated the failure as an unfortunate joke, while others argue that uncovering server weaknesses during a test is far better than finding them after release.
What should players expect next?
FromSoftware has not confirmed that the remaining test sessions will happen according to the original plan. The studio said it would continue improving the servers and provide more information about future sessions later, leaving participants without a firm schedule for now.
That uncertainty makes waiting for an official announcement the safest option for players hoping to join. The test was planned to run across several sessions from August 21 through August 23, but the early closure means those plans may change. Whether this becomes a useful infrastructure lesson or a continuing concern depends on how quickly FromSoftware can identify and address the underlying connection problems before The Duskbloods’ planned 2026 release.
What players should know
- The first August 21 session ended early after many participants could not log in.
- FromSoftware is investigating the server issue and has not confirmed the timing of later sessions.
- The test is for the Nintendo Switch 2 version of an eight-player PvPvE game.
- Players should wait for the studio’s next update before relying on the original testing schedule.
- The failure is disappointing, but identifying the problem during testing could help protect the eventual launch.
Expert View
The Duskbloods’ opening test was a poor experience for participants, but it is too early to treat one failed session as proof that the finished game will launch with the same problems. FromSoftware specifically created the event to stress its multiplayer systems, and the server failure revealed an issue the studio now has an opportunity to investigate. The key measure will be whether later tests become stable and whether the developer communicates clearly about the revised schedule.
