Hidetaka Miyazaki and FromSoftware have announced The Duskbloods, a multiplayer-focused title that will be exclusive to the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2.
This marks a significant departure from the studio’s traditional single-player experiences like Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring.
The Duskbloods will introduce PvPvE gameplay, where players can choose between various roles, such as friend or rival. The game offers over a dozen customizable characters at launch and features dynamic in-game events that can dramatically alter match conditions during play.
This new title represents FromSoftware’s second attempt at multiplayer-focused development following their previous title Nightreign. Miyazaki has been clear that this exploration of multiplayer mechanics is meant to expand the studio’s expertise rather than signal a permanent shift away from the single-player experiences that made them famous.
“Even though I’m not typically a PvP player myself, I’ve always been fascinated by PvPvE gameplay,” Miyazaki explained during the announcement. “We’ve designed The Duskbloods to be enjoyable even for those who usually stick to single-player games.”
Many fans have expressed concerns about both the Switch 2’s online infrastructure and FromSoftware’s historically spotty netcode. The studio has promised that they’re working closely with Nintendo to ensure a smooth online experience that meets player expectations.
The game’s announcement has generated mixed reactions from the FromSoftware community. While some players are excited to see the creators of challenging combat mechanics tackling the multiplayer space, others worry about the studio straying from what made it successful.
FromSoftware’s multiplayer experimentation doesn’t mean they’re abandoning their roots. The company has confirmed they have several single-player titles in development concurrently with The Duskbloods.
