The Duskbloods playtest sign-ups surpass Elden Ring Nightreign's despite Switch 2 exclusivity
FromSoftware's upcoming Switch 2 exclusive The Duskbloods has already set a surprising record before its release, with its closed network test attracting more applicants than the playtest for the multi-platform Elden Ring Nightreign. The revelation came from FromSoftware producer Yasuhiro Kitao during a livestream hosted by Japanese publication Famitsu, as translated by GamesRadar+.
Kitao expressed genuine surprise at the result, noting that the number of applications for The Duskbloods test exceeded those for Elden Ring Nightreign's playtest. This is particularly striking because Elden Ring Nightreign's test was available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, with the full game also launching on PC and last-generation consoles. The Duskbloods, by contrast, is exclusive to the Switch 2, a console that has only been on the market for roughly a year and therefore possesses a significantly smaller user base than the combined audiences of Sony and Microsoft's platforms.
The producer's comments suggest that FromSoftware did not anticipate such overwhelming interest given the platform limitations. The Switch 2's relative newness means its installed base is still growing, making the high volume of playtest applications all the more remarkable.
Several factors may explain the phenomenon. Elden Ring Nightreign went on to sell over 5 million copies, with its first major DLC shifting 2 million units in under a week. The game's success demonstrated that FromSoftware could deliver a compelling multiplayer-focused souls-like experience, which likely generated considerable goodwill and curiosity for the studio's next project in a similar vein.
The Duskbloods also benefited from a near-total information vacuum prior to the closed network test. Players knew the game was multiplayer in nature, but the precise structure, playable classes, and mechanics remained largely unknown. This scarcity of details may have driven fans to sign up for the test simply to learn more about what the game actually is.
Another contributing element is the involvement of Hidetaka Miyazaki, the legendary director behind many of FromSoftware's most celebrated titles. While the sources do not specify his exact role on The Duskbloods, his name being attached to the project is likely to have generated additional excitement among the studio's fanbase.
The contrast between the two playtest sign-up figures is especially notable given the respective hardware situations. Elden Ring Nightreign could be played on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and last-generation consoles, giving it a vastly larger potential audience. The Duskbloods, as a Switch 2 exclusive, is limited to a single platform with a much smaller active user base. That the exclusive title nonetheless attracted more applicants speaks to the strength of the brand FromSoftware has built, as well as the specific appeal of a new multiplayer project from the studio.
The outcome also raises questions about the future of FromSoftware's relationship with Nintendo's hardware. If a Switch 2 exclusive can generate more playtest interest than a multi-platform release, it suggests that the console's audience may be more engaged with the studio's work than previously assumed. It also indicates that platform exclusivity does not necessarily limit a game's reach when the developer's reputation is strong enough.
For now, the closed network test for The Duskbloods has already provided FromSoftware with valuable data on player interest. The studio now faces the challenge of delivering a game that lives up to the heightened expectations created by both the success of Elden Ring Nightreign and the unexpectedly high demand for this test. Whether the final product can match the enthusiasm of its playtest applications remains to be seen, but the early signs are undeniably promising for the Switch 2 exclusive.