Elden Ring developer revealed during a June Nintendo Direct that its upcoming Switch 2 exclusive action game, The Duskbloods, would be getting a closed network test sometime this Summer. Now, the studio has revealed the test will take place next month, from August 21 through August 23. Applications to take part in the test will open up next week on July 22, and you will have until July 28 to complete the registration.
A network test like this isn’t uncommon for From Software, which also held one for Elden Ring, and considering The Duskbloods is a PvPvE experience, it makes sense that the Tokyo-based studio wants to test online play and connectivity ahead of the game’s eventual launch. Speaking of launch, there’s still no release date for The Duskbloods, but it is set to launch sometime this year.
From Software says the primary goals of this network test are as follows:
- Game server load test: We will connect large numbers of players simultaneously to verify gameplay while putting a load on the game server.
- Multiplayer test: We will test for various problems that may occur when multiple people play together in different network environments, and various phenomena that may occur by having many users participate.
- Game balance test: When real players test the game together, the developers can gather data about how well the game is balanced.
From Software says this network test allows for “up to eight players to participate together in each of the multiplayer matches while the game is still in development,” and asks for understanding that bugs may occur during gameplay as a result.
In order to take part in the test, you must apply next week, be accepted, have a Nintendo Switch, and have an active Nintendo Switch Online membership. The application period starts on Wednesday, July 22, at 7 a.m. PT and lasts until Tuesday, July 28, at 6:59 a.m. PT. The selection announcement will happen on Friday, August 7, at 6 a.m. PT. The network test schedule is listed below:
- Aug. 21, 2026 (Fri.) 3:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. PDT
- Aug. 21, 2026 (Fri.) 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. PDT
- Aug. 22, 2026 (Sat.) 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. PDT
- Aug. 23, 2026 (Sun.) 3:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. PDT
- Aug. 23, 2026 (Sun.) 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. PDT
For more about The Duskbloods, check out the latest trailer here, and then check out the reveal trailer for The Duskbloods.
Good luck!
