The Duskbloods closed network test hits Switch 2 in August — here's how to apply

FromSoftware's The Duskbloods is getting a closed network test on Nintendo Switch 2 from August 21 to 24, and applications open next week. It's the first real hands-on opportunity with the studio's Switch 2 exclusive PvPvE action game since it was announced.

Registrations open July 22 at 7 a.m. PT and close July 28 at 6:59 a.m. PT — miss that window and you're out. Selected players find out on August 7. To even apply, you need a Nintendo Switch 2 and an active Nintendo Switch Online membership, which rules out anyone who hasn't subscribed. The test runs across five specific time slots: August 21 (3:00–7:00 a.m. PDT and 7:00–11:00 p.m. PDT), August 22 (11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. PDT), and August 23 (3:00–7:00 a.m. PDT and 7:00–11:00 p.m. PDT). Each session supports up to eight players per multiplayer match. FromSoftware has been upfront that bugs are expected and game balance isn't final — the test's stated goals are server load testing, multiplayer stress testing across different network environments, and gathering real balance data from live play.

The Duskbloods is a Switch 2 exclusive being developed by FromSoftware — the studio behind Elden Ring, Dark Souls, and Bloodborne — and published by Nintendo. It's a notable departure from the studio's usual single-player formula: the game is built around online PvPvE matches, blending melee combat with what early trailers suggest is a far wilder aesthetic than FromSoft's typical gothic or high-fantasy settings. FromSoftware previously ran a similar network test for Elden Ring before that game launched, so this kind of pre-release stress test is consistent with how the studio handles online-focused titles. The game was confirmed during a June 2026 Nintendo Direct, which also promised a playtest was coming.

There's still no firm release date for The Duskbloods beyond a 2026 window, and whether it actually ships this year or slips into 2027 remains an open question. The network test is the clearest signal yet that development is progressing — and for anyone curious about FromSoftware's multiplayer pivot, the application window next week is the only way in.