Elden Ring Nightreign stole the show at The Game Awards yesterday, as one would expect with FromSoftware’s renowned involvement. Bandai Namco has just announced that a network test is in the works for early next year, with sign-ups kicking off in January.
In case you missed the Nightreign announcement, it’s a game focusing on cooperative play, allowing teams of players to tackle bosses from the FromSoftware universe in shared spaces. Basically, imagine playing Elden Ring with friends, beyond leaving cryptic notes for each other or occasionally teaming up to win tough battles or create havoc.
The game is scheduled for release sometime in 2025, with a network test lined up shortly after the new year begins. It’s set for February 2025, and you’ll be able to register for it starting January 10. However, keep in mind that only the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S are included in this test, which leaves PC and older console users in the dust for now.
So, what can you expect if you’re selected to join the network test? According to Bandai, it’s a preliminary test where chosen players get to experience a slice of the game before its official launch. The goal is to assess various technical aspects of the online systems by running large-scale network load tests.
Think of these technical challenges as the bosses you face in-game. The stability of the network at launch is your ultimate prize for overcoming them. You might even joke about acquiring an ‘aura of stable network load’ when you brag to your friends about being part of it.
For more news on Elden Ring, be sure to check out Sony’s recent comments about its interest in acquiring FromSoftware’s parent company, Kadokawa.
