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‘The Duskbloods’ From the ‘Elden Ring’ Developer FromSoftware Is Exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2

The Duskbloods is FromSoftware's online PvPvE multiplayer action game, announced as a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive for up to eight players. It is listed for 2026, with no specific launch date published yet.
Length4 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
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The Duskbloods is FromSoftware’s online PvPvE multiplayer action game, and as currently announced it is exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2. Matches support up to eight players. Nintendo’s US listing still shows a 2026 release year, but the official material checked for this article, current as of October 8, 2026, gives no specific full-game launch date. The most recent public milestone is a network test that ran August 21–24, 2026.

Is The Duskbloods exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2?

Yes, as currently announced. FromSoftware’s April 2, 2025 announcement describes the game as developed for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, and Nintendo’s US product listing, accessed October 8, 2026, says it is available exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2. That listing labels the edition Digital. The official sources checked do not establish a physical retail edition, a price, or preorder status.

The exclusivity statement describes the platform plan as announced. It is not a promise about future platforms, and it should be rechecked against Nintendo’s and FromSoftware’s pages before you rely on it.

When does The Duskbloods come out?

The honest answer is that it is listed for 2026 and no specific date has been published. FromSoftware’s announcement described a worldwide 2026 release, and Nintendo’s listing still reads “release date 2026.” That is a year, not a launch date. What the official record does show is a testing phase in late summer 2026:

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#1 Best Overall
Nintendo Switch 2 System
  • The next evolution of Nintendo Switch
  • One system, three play modes: TV, Tabletop, and Handheld
  • Larger, vivid, 7.9” LCD touch screen with support for HDR and up to 120 fps
  • Dock that supports 4K when connected to a compatible TV*
  • GameChat** lets you voice chat, share your game screen, and connect via video chat as you play
Date Official milestone What it tells you
2026 (listed) Release year on Nintendo’s US listing No specific launch date; do not treat the year as one
August 20, 2026 Test gameplay guide announced on the official game site A test cycle was being prepared
August 21–24, 2026 Network test Players tested online play; a connection-stability notice followed on August 21
Through September 4, 2026 Survey open to test participants and non-participants Feedback was collected to inform improvements to the product version

A test is evidence that the online systems were being checked. It is not a release announcement, and the survey does not change the release status.

What kind of game it is

FromSoftware calls The Duskbloods a PvPvE title with online multiplayer at its core, in which up to eight players compete against each other and against challenging foes. Hidetaka Miyazaki, identified in Nintendo’s Creator’s Voice interview published April 4, 2025 as the game’s director, described the structure this way:

“In terms of structure, we consider it a PvPvE title. At its core is an online multiplayer focused game, with both player vs player and player vs enemy gameplay.”

In the interview, PvPvE means combat in which players fight one another and computer-controlled enemies. This is a multiplayer action game, not a conventional single-player sequel to Elden Ring.

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Rank #2
Nintendo Switch 2 System with Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 Bundle
  • The next evolution of the Nintendo Switch system
  • One system, three play modes: TV, Tabletop, and Handheld
  • Larger, vivid, 7.9” LCD touch screen with support for HDR and up to 120 fps
  • Supports up to 4K resolution** when using a compatible game and TV connected via the included Nintendo Switch 2 dock
  • Nintendo Switch 2 plays compatible physical and digital Nintendo Switch games.***

Matches, objectives and the hub

Miyazaki described a hub where players select and customize a character before entering multiplayer. Rewards are given after a match whether the player wins or loses. Most matches are last-player-standing, though some use other conditions, such as cooperating to defeat a boss. He also discussed Victory Points, personal objectives, roles, and match events. Players compete for “First Blood” during an event called the “Twilight of Humanity.”

The Bloodsworn and the setting

The player characters are the Bloodsworn, who gain superhuman abilities from special blood. Miyazaki said they are broadly similar to vampires, but they are not depicted as the horrifying monsters associated with traditional vampire fiction. The story has no fixed era or location. Miyazaki mentioned Gothic or Victorian-style maps and settings from the closing years of the early modern period.

Characters

Miyazaki said there are more than a dozen selectable characters. That is a director’s statement from 2025, not a verified final roster.

What you need to play

Nintendo’s US page lists the following requirements for online features:

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Rank #3
Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle with Bonus HDMI Cable & Screen Cleaning Cloth
  • 【Ultimate Nintendo Switch 2 Bundle – Ready to Play】Includes the complete Nintendo Switch 2 console and a full-game download of Mario Kart World, so you can start racing right out of the box. Perfect for gamers of all ages and playstyles.
  • 【Next-Gen Hybrid Gaming with Stunning Visuals】Experience a vivid 7.9‑inch 1080p LCD touchscreen with HDR support, and enjoy 4K TV output at up to 60 fps when docked — for immersive gameplay at home or on the go.
  • 【Versatile 3 Play Modes】Seamlessly switch between Handheld, Tabletop, and TV modes — all featuring intuitive controls and smooth performance, wherever you choose to play.
  • 【Enhanced Social Gaming with GameChat & Multiplayer】Connect with friends locally, enjoy online multiplayer with up to 24 players, and use voice chat via GameChat (internet connection and Nintendo Switch Online membership required after trial period).
  • 【Powerful Storage & Joy‑Con 2 Controllers】Includes 256 GB internal storage (expandable with microSD), magnetic Joy‑Con 2 controllers, docking station, HDMI cable, AC adapter, grip, and straps — everything you need for the ultimate gaming setup.
  • A Nintendo Switch 2 console, since the game is announced as exclusive to that system.
  • A Nintendo Account.
  • Internet access.
  • A Nintendo Switch Online membership, which is sold separately. Nintendo says membership is not available in all countries, so check the regional terms for your location before you buy.

The official sources checked do not list a current console price. Check retailer pages directly for hardware pricing and availability.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Network test: connection advice

The official notice from August 21, 2026 discussed wireless instability during the network test. Its guidance was to use a stable wireless environment, or a wired connection when the console is docked. This is the publisher’s advice from the test period, not a measured result, so treat it as a practical starting point rather than a guarantee of stable play.

  • If you are testing or planning to play while docked, a wired connection is the option the notice points to.
  • If you use Wi-Fi, choose a stable connection with fewer competing devices in the room.

What remains unconfirmed

  • The exact full-game launch date. The official material checked gives only the 2026 listing year.
  • The final feature list and character roster. Miyazaki’s descriptions are from a 2025 interview and may change.
  • Pricing beyond the Digital edition label, and whether a physical edition will exist.
  • Any in-game monetization. None is described in the official sources checked.
  • Player counts, sales, or performance figures. No such statistics appear in the official sources checked.
  • Whether the exclusivity will continue beyond the currently announced platform plan.

For now, the reliable picture is a Switch 2 online PvPvE game for up to eight players, still listed for 2026, that has moved through a network test in August 2026.

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