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FromSoftware and Nintendo Set Closed Network Test for The Duskbloods on Switch 2

The weekend playtest will stress servers, check multiplayer stability, gather balance data, and restrict sharing to keep early footage private.

Overview

  • Applications open July 22 and close July 28 for a limited closed Network Test that will run in regional four-hour windows across the weekend of August 21–24.
  • To apply and play testers must own a Nintendo Switch 2, have a Nintendo Account and an active Nintendo Switch Online membership, and accepted players will receive a download code for a pre-release build.
  • FromSoftware says the test will support up to eight players per match and is designed to run large-scale server load tests, probe multiplayer connectivity across network environments, and collect game-balance data with the expectation that bugs may occur.
  • Selected participants can download the pre-release version from the Nintendo eShop around August 18 and must not share screenshots or video because the Switch 2 capture button will be disabled during sessions.
  • This follow-up to the studio’s prior multiplayer tests is meant to validate online systems before launch, but neither company has given a firm retail release date beyond a 2026 window.