The newly-announced multiplayer standalone gameElden Ring: Nightreignis opening registrations for a Network Test in January 2025.Nightreignis an unexpected new title for players of the franchise, with fans incorrectly assuming that no more DLC for the game meant there’d be no new experiences in the Lands Between.
Elden Ring: Nightreign Beta Test Will Be A Chance To Get Hands-On With First True Multiplayer In The Series
The Title Is Designed For Three-Person Multiplayer
Elden Ring: Nightreignwas one of the biggest surprises from The Game Awards 2024, especially after game lead Hidetaka Miyazaki specifically stated that the team wasnot working onElden Ring 2.Nightreignis, in fact, not a sequel to the hit title, but rather a brand-new experience set in theElden Ringuniverse. The title willpit groups of players against the formidable foes fans have come to expect and love from the franchise,includingsome familiar faces from the other Souls gamesby FromSoftware.
Elden Ring 2 Isn’t In Production, And That’s A Good Thing
Elden Ring 2 is not in development at FromSoftware, but this is actually very good news for both the developer and its dedicated fan base.
With such a strong draw for fans,Elden Ring: Nightreignwill undoubtedly draw in many players when it launches, and FromSoft wants to be ready for this.The network test scheduled for February 2025 is intended to stress test the serversto ensure they’re ready for the load of incoming players. The closed beta will be by sign-up only and will let a select group of fans play-test a part of the game in advance of the game’s full release.
Our Take: It’s Reassuring That Elden Ring: Nightreign Is Taking Steps To Ensure Online Success
Multiplayer Is Not Always Easy To Get Right
Recent years have seen an upsurge of online multiplayer games. Unfortunately, there have also been plenty of multiplayer titles that didn’t survive, like the now-nefariousConcordfiasco, andXDefiantshutting its servers down. Even the popular and well-lovedmultiplayer titles likeHelldivers 2aren’t without their issues.
It can be difficult to get multiplayer right, and server issues are often at least partially to blame.FromSoftware and Bandai Namco’s Souls games have always had some elements of online play, andBloodborneeven allowed two players to link up and play online together. But the multiplayer-oriented nature ofElden Ring: Nightreignis a new step for the franchise to take. It’s reassuring to see the developers taking the necessary steps toward ensuring that the servers can hold up to the demand of the players when this highly anticipated title hits stores sometime in 2025.
