FromSoftware Delays Nintendo Switch 2 Exclusive The Duskbloods Into 2027
Japanese video game development studio FromSoftware announced on Thursday, October 29, 2026, that its anticipated multiplayer title The Duskbloods has been postponed from its original 2026 release schedule into 2027, according to reports by Eurogamer and IGN. The gothic multiplayer action title, which is entering production as an exclusive release for the Nintendo Switch 2 console, represents the studio's next major release directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki following the commercial release of Elden Ring. In an official statement published on social media platforms, the developer stated that the project has reached the final adjustment stage but requires additional development time to refine gameplay mechanics before general commercial deployment.
Postponement Announcement and Release Timeline
The decision followed closed network tests in August; the studio has not publicly linked every aspect of the delay to that feedback. FromSoftware stated that testing participants exhibited active interest in core design concepts, including combat pacing, strategic depth, and personal player expression. To further enhance these gameplay elements, studio management opted to move the launch window, allocating development time for final adjustments to game rules and competitive balancing. The upcoming title functions as an eight-player player-versus-player-versus-environment action experience, combining challenging combat mechanics reminiscent of Dark Souls and Sekiro with distinct traversal tools and environmental hazards.
Network Testing Insights and Mechanical Balancing
Public anticipation for the project remains substantial across the gaming community, with registration volumes for the closed network test surpassing applicant totals recorded for Elden Ring Nightreign despite the game's platform exclusivity on Switch 2. However, initial testing sessions encountered technical obstacles, as the opening test period concluded prematurely following game server issues that prevented participants from logging into active matches. Although engineering teams corrected connectivity disruptions in subsequent test sessions, the studio opted to extend internal development to ensure network stability and server performance remain dependable across global regions upon official launch.
Technical Infrastructure and Server Performance
The announcement followed a period in which the title did not appear in promotional broadcasts, including the September 2026 Nintendo Direct presentation. FromSoftware has developed several of the most influential gaming releases of the last 20 years, establishing rigorous design benchmarks across the action role-playing genre. Industry observers noted that rescheduling release timing allows the developer to avoid congested late-year distribution windows, potentially providing additional development time for testing and polish. Neither FromSoftware nor publishing partner Nintendo has specified an exact release date within 2027 for the title.
FromSoftware unveiled The Duskbloods in April 2025 during a Nintendo Switch 2 showcase, according to BigGo Finance.
A BigGo Finance report also raised calendar competition as a possible consideration, but FromSoftware has not identified competing game releases as the reason for the delay.