The Duskbloods will immerse players in the role of a Bloodsworn, but it's important to clarify that this is not Bloodborne 2. Dive deeper to discover what FromSoftware has planned for The Duskbloods and the exciting features it promises.
FromSoftware Will Continue To Create Single-Player Focused Games
The Duskbloods Director on Nintendo’s Creator’s Voice Blog
FromSoftware, renowned for Elden Ring, reassures its fans that they will continue crafting their signature single-player experiences, despite branching into multiplayer projects. The company recently unveiled their upcoming title, The Duskbloods, exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2, during the latest Nintendo Direct on April 2. This online multiplayer PvPvE game retains FromSoftware's distinctive Soulslike themes and aesthetics, surprising fans as the studio also has another multiplayer title, Elden Ring Nightreign, in the works.
In the newly launched Creator’s Voice blog by Nintendo, posted on April 4, FromSoftware's Director, Hidetaka Miyazaki, shared insights into their future projects. He emphasized that despite the focus on multiplayer games, FromSoftware remains committed to developing their traditional single-player titles.
Miyazaki stated, "As a side note, please allow me to address one thing. As previously mentioned, this is an online multiplayer title at its core, but this doesn’t mean that we as a company have decided to shift to a more multiplayer-focused direction with titles going forward." He further added, "The Nintendo Switch 2 version of Elden Ring was also announced, and we still intend to actively develop single-player focused games such as this that embrace our more traditional style."
The Importance of Blood in The Duskbloods
Miyazaki delved into the game’s narrative, focusing on the concept of blood. Players will embody "Bloodsworn," members of a group endowed with superhuman abilities derived from special blood. While comparing these characters to vampires, Miyazaki clarified that they would not be portrayed as horrifying monsters typical of traditional vampirism.
In The Duskbloods, Bloodsworn compete for "The First Blood," which only manifests at the end of human society during an event known as "The Twilight of Humanity." This event unfolds across various times and locations.
For its setting, Miyazaki described, "There are more traditional Gothic- or Victorian-style maps as well as those depicting the closing years of the early modern period, like the one glimpsed in the trailer with the train running through it."
He explained that blood in the game serves as a conceptual element rather than merely depicting injuries. Miyazaki remarked, "Blood symbolizes one of the game’s key themes—the history it holds, the power it passes on, the fates it weaves, and the marker of those who have surpassed the limitations of their own humanity."
Wide Variety of Characters and Online Multiplayer
The Duskbloods' trailer showcased a variety of characters, each with unique designs and personalities. Miyazaki confirmed that players will have over a dozen characters to choose from, with some degree of customization available. He stated, "I think there are a lot of unique elements to the character designs and the weapons they use, so hopefully players can find one or two favorites among them."
At the game's start, players gather at a "hub" where they can select and customize their character before entering online multiplayer, which supports up to 8 players. After a match, players return to the hub to collect their rewards, primarily character customizations.
Matches typically end when one player remains standing, though there are cases with different victory conditions, such as defeating a powerful boss or facing other unique challenges.
Miyazaki elaborated, "Regardless of whether it’s PvP or PvE, the idea is to provide players with an experience that allows them to learn and hone their skills as they play. We’ve therefore designed the PvE boss encounters to present a tough challenge and a sense of accomplishment upon defeating them."
He also introduced the concept of "roles," where players have specific responsibilities and objectives. While some details remain under wraps, Miyazaki gave examples such as the "Destined Rivals" role, where the player must locate and defeat their rival, and the "Destined Companion" role, where the player must find a partner to form a bond and receive special rewards.
He explained, "Roles can be assigned to any character via blood customization, allowing players to enjoy role-playing in a literal sense and hopefully adding to the drama of these engagements."
The Creator’s Voice blog provided crucial insights into FromSoftware’s upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive. With more announcements expected in the future, The Duskbloods is set to launch in 2026. Stay updated with the latest news on the game by checking out our article below!
