The Duskbloods Closed Network Test Set for August—Giving Fans Hands-On Experience

Fans of FromSoftware finally have something real to look forward to after months of nothing. The studio has officially set the dates for the first closed network test for The Duskbloods. This will give a small group of players the chance to explore the game’s bizarre new multiplayer universe before it arrives in 2026.

This is the first real chance for anyone interested in this big project to see how it's coming along, to see it for themselves. The closed network test will take place from August 21 to August 23. The test will not be live the whole time; instead, it will be split into five separate five-hour sessions.

The exact start times will depend on where you live. Because of time zone differences, the last session may go into August 24 in some places. On July 22, people can start applying to play, but FromSoftware hasn't said how many players will be invited. Anyone who wants to get in will also need to be a member of Nintendo Switch Online before they can apply.

The news is exciting, but don’t get too excited. This isn’t an early test to show off the full experience.

The main point is to stress-test the servers, observe how they interact with other players, and gather feedback on the game's balance. Some of The Duskbloods will not be available at launch, and the developers have made it clear that mechanics, systems, and features seen during the test could still change before the game comes out.

There's one more important detail that might let down people who were hoping to watch the action online. People taking part in the network test won't be able to record or stream games or share screenshots. Even the built-in video feature on the Nintendo Switch 2 will not work while the game is going on.

That means once the beta starts, there probably won't be many gaming videos on social media and video sites. Instead, people who are lucky enough to get access will write reviews that will be the main source of information.

The timing of this network test is also a good sign of the game's progress. Since there hasn't been much news about The Duskbloods over the last year, some fans started to wonder if the show might slip into 2027. Instead, the news of a playable test suggests that development is progressing steadily, keeping The Duskbloods' previously announced 2026 launch date in clear view.

FromSoftware is best known for making difficult single-player games like Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring. The Duskbloods, on the other hand, is going in a very different way. The game isn't just about exploring alone; it's built around competitive PvPvE gaming.

Players will fight both AI enemies and bosses that are strong and dangerous, as well as other players in the same match. Being successful isn't just about beating your competitors, either. Completing goals and beating AI-controlled threats can also earn victory points, giving players more than one way to win a match.

Players will be in charge of supernatural warriors called Bloodsworn. Each Bloodsworn comes with their own set of weapons, skills, appearance, and way of fighting. You’re not required to create a character from scratch, but you are able to pick from a range of different heroes that you can customize as time goes on.

Players can gain access to new cosmetic options and change out aspects of the game that are based around combat by winning matches and gaining rewards.

This provides a progression system that keeps players engaged for a long time. One of the most interesting features of the game is the dynamic part system. During a match, players might be given tasks such as a “Destined Rival,” which tells them to target a specific opponent, or a “Destined Companion,” which allows them to work with another player for a limited amount of time.

It's a weird quirk that makes each match feel a little different, especially when coupled with a faster movement system that allows you to quickly navigate obstacles not found in other FromSoftware games.

The Duskbloods is one of the studio’s riskiest ventures to date, and it’s known for keeping action RPGs feeling fresh. The August network test should finally answer some of the biggest questions about the project. It will also give us our first look at whether the mix of single-player and online battles can capture the magic that made FromSoftware famous. Will you be one of the lucky players who gets the invite? That's the only question now.