The Duskbloods will have players take on the role of a Bloodsworn, but don't get too excited—it's not Bloodborne 2. Dive deeper to discover FromSoftware's vision for The Duskbloods and its unique features.
FromSoftware Will Continue To Create Single-Player Focused Games
The Duskbloods Director on Nintendo’s Creator’s Voice Blog
FromSoftware, the creators of Elden Ring, have reassured fans that they will continue to craft their renowned single-player experiences, despite their upcoming multiplayer projects. During the latest Nintendo Direct on April 2, they unveiled The Duskbloods, an exclusive title for the Nintendo Switch 2. This online multiplayer PvPvE game retains the iconic Soulslike themes and aesthetics, surprising fans as it follows closely on the heels of another multiplayer title, Elden Ring Nightreign.
In a recent post on Nintendo’s new insider scoop blog, Creator’s Voice, published on April 4, FromSoftware Director Hidetaka Miyazaki shared insights into their upcoming games. He emphasized that despite the focus on multiplayer titles, FromSoftware remains committed to developing their signature single-player games.
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, which revolves around the theme of blood. Players will control characters known as "Bloodsworn," members of a faction endowed with superhuman abilities through the use of special blood. While drawing comparisons to vampires, Miyazaki clarified that these characters would not be portrayed as traditional monstrous beings.
In The Duskbloods, Bloodsworn vie for "The First Blood," a coveted prize that emerges only at the end of human society during an event called "The Twilight of Humanity." This event unfolds across various times and locations.
Miyazaki described the game's settings, saying, "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 elaborated on the role of blood within the game, stating, "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 trailer for The Duskbloods showcased a diverse range of characters, each with unique designs and personalities. Miyazaki confirmed that players will have over a dozen characters to choose from, with some level of customization available. He expressed, "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."
Players will start their journey at a "hub" where they can select and customize their character before entering online multiplayer sessions that support up to 8 players. Upon completing a match, players return to the hub to collect rewards, primarily in the form of character customizations.
Matches typically end when one player remains standing, though victory conditions can vary. Players might need to defeat a powerful boss or meet other unique challenges.
Miyazaki explained, "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" within the game, where players take on specific responsibilities and objectives. Though details are still being finalized, Miyazaki provided examples such as the "Destined Rivals" role, where players must seek out and defeat their rival, and the "Destined Companion" role, where players form a bond with a partner to gain special rewards.
He further elaborated, "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 essential insights into FromSoftware’s exclusive title for the Nintendo Switch 2. With more announcements expected in the future, The Duskbloods is set to launch in 2026. Stay tuned for the latest updates on the game by checking out our article below!
