Elden Ring Nightreign, the unexpected multiplayer spin-off from FromSoftware, surprised fans at The Game Awards. Known for their challenging single-player experiences like Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring, the studio’s foray into a multiplayer roguelike battle royale hybrid has generated considerable excitement and curiosity. Fortunately, fans won’t have to wait long to experience Nightreign firsthand, with a playtest scheduled for February and sign-ups opening in January.
Bandai Namco and FromSoftware have announced that registration for the Elden Ring Nightreign playtest will begin on January 10th. Interested players can register on the official Bandai Namco website (https://www.bandainamcoent.com/games/nightreign/closed-network-test). Joining the Elden Ring mailing list is recommended to ensure you don’t miss the registration window. The number of available playtest slots remains undisclosed, so early registration is advisable. Given the three-player co-op nature of Nightreign, it’s possible invitees may receive additional invites to share with friends.
A glimpse of one of the new bosses awaiting players in Elden Ring Nightreign.
This playtest echoes the technical test conducted for the original Elden Ring, which allowed players an early glimpse of the Lands Between and helped developers refine the game’s multiplayer functionality. However, it’s important to note that elements like item locations and vendor inventories may differ between the playtest and the final game. Therefore, focusing on familiarizing yourself with preferred classes and gameplay mechanics is more beneficial than memorizing specific details.
Elden Ring Nightreign promises a unique multiplayer experience.
The official description of the Elden Ring Nightreign technical test clarifies its purpose: “The network test is a preliminary verification test in which the selected testers play a portion of the game prior to the full game launch. Various technical verifications of online systems will be examined by conducting large-scale network load tests.”
While Elden Ring Nightreign will launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC, the initial playtest will be exclusive to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles. Similar to the original Elden Ring playtest, PC is excluded, and this time, last-gen consoles are also omitted. This exclusion might be a strategic move to prevent data mining and premature leaks of game content.
This playtest offers a crucial opportunity for FromSoftware to gather valuable feedback and fine-tune the online experience before the official release of Elden Ring Nightreign. For players, it’s a chance to delve into this intriguing new world and experience the unique blend of roguelike and battle royale elements within the familiar Elden Ring universe. Mark your calendars for January 10th and prepare to enter the Nightreign.
