FromSoftware fans hungry for news about The Duskbloods may not have to wait much longer. Chinese journalist Giwin, known for accurately leaking details about Elden Ring bosses like Radahn and Rykard, has shared new information suggesting that the gothic multiplayer title has been in development longer than any other FromSoftware project. According to Giwin, the game was greenlit before 2019, even before Sekiro’s marketing campaign began, and has undergone extensive gameplay prototyping with many innovative elements that could make it a trendsetter for the industry.
Extended Development and Prototyping Period
The revelation that The Duskbloods was greenlit before 2019 means FromSoftware has been working on the project for over six years, making it one of the studio’s longest development cycles. According to Giwin’s report, the game spent more time in the prototyping phase than any other FromSoftware title, allowing the development team to experiment extensively with gameplay mechanics and design concepts.
This extended prototyping period suggests FromSoftware is taking significant risks with The Duskbloods, implementing ideas that may not fit the traditional Souls formula. The studio has reportedly been testing various multiplayer systems, combat mechanics, and progression structures to create something genuinely different from their previous work. Giwin claims the game contains many innovative elements that FromSoftware is particularly proud of, and expects it to become a model for other developers, similar to how Sekiro influenced the industry with its posture-based combat system.
Marketing Timeline and Upcoming Reveals
Giwin’s latest statements suggest that FromSoftware is preparing to shift its marketing focus from Elden Ring Nightreign to The Duskbloods in the near future. The journalist outlined a specific sequence of upcoming announcements: first, FromSoftware will reveal trailers for two new characters in the Elden Ring Nightreign DLC expansion called The Forsaken Hollows, which launches on December 4, 2025. This will be followed by a final launch trailer for the DLC.
After wrapping up the Nightreign DLC marketing campaign, FromSoftware is expected to begin promoting The Duskbloods in earnest. Many insiders and fans speculate that The Game Awards 2025 on December 11 could be the perfect venue for a major Duskbloods reveal, potentially including extended gameplay footage and a more specific release window within 2026. The timing would align perfectly with FromSoftware’s typical marketing cadence and give the game maximum exposure during one of gaming’s biggest annual events.
What Makes Duskbloods Different
The Duskbloods represents a significant departure from FromSoftware’s traditional formula. Announced during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct presentation in March 2025, the game is a multiplayer-focused action RPG that supports up to eight players simultaneously in a PvPvE (player versus player versus environment) format. Unlike previous FromSoftware titles that primarily focused on single-player experiences with optional multiplayer components, The Duskbloods places competitive and cooperative multiplayer at its core.
The game features a gothic Victorian aesthetic that draws comparisons to Bloodborne, though director Hidetaka Miyazaki has stated it reinterprets romantic themes associated with vampires and blood through the Bloodsworn characters, collectively known as the Duskbloods. Players will navigate a dark world where they can team up with others to defeat powerful bosses, invade other players’ worlds for resources, or participate in special Blood Moon Ritual events where all players in an area must engage in PvP combat with the last survivor earning substantial rewards.
Innovative Gameplay Systems
One of the most intriguing aspects of The Duskbloods is its roles system, which Miyazaki has been developing for years. Through bloodline customization, players can assign specific roles to their characters that fundamentally change their victory conditions and gameplay objectives. For example, a player might be assigned as someone’s fated companion, requiring them to seek out and protect that specific player for special rewards. This creates dynamic, emergent storytelling where players engage in literal roleplaying beyond simple combat encounters.
The game also introduces aerial combat mechanics, jetpacks, and advanced traversal abilities that enable more dynamic movement than previous FromSoftware titles. Character customization appears extensive, with players able to modify abilities, techniques, appearance, inner traits, roles within the world, and relationships with other characters. The combat system includes traditional melee weapons, firearms reminiscent of Bloodborne, and vampire-like abilities that add fresh layers to the Souls-like combat formula.
Nintendo Switch 2 Exclusivity
The Duskbloods will launch exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026, marking a surprising partnership between FromSoftware and Nintendo. This exclusivity has generated mixed reactions from the community, with some fans disappointed they won’t be able to play on PC or other consoles, while others are excited about what FromSoftware might achieve with Nintendo’s new hardware.
The good news for fans on other platforms is that FromSoftware owns The Duskbloods intellectual property, unlike Bloodborne which is owned by Sony. This means the game could eventually release on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox after a timed exclusivity period, though no such announcements have been made. The Switch 2 exclusivity appears to be driven by both financial incentives from Nintendo and FromSoftware’s desire to develop something completely original on a new platform with fresh hardware capabilities.
FromSoftware’s Multiple Projects
The Duskbloods is just one part of FromSoftware’s busy development slate. The studio typically works on at least three titles simultaneously, with different teams handling various projects. Elden Ring Nightreign, which began development in late 2021, has already been released and is receiving its first DLC expansion, The Forsaken Hollows, on December 4, 2025. Nightreign started as a smaller team project and has grown into a successful cooperative multiplayer experience.
Additionally, reports suggest FromSoftware has another unannounced multiplatform project, codenamed Project FMC, in advanced development. This project has been described as being deep into development and could potentially release as early as 2026, giving FromSoftware three major releases in a short timeframe. In a 2023 interview, Yasuhiro Kitao mentioned the studio’s goal to stagger releases and introduce fresh, exciting projects at shorter intervals in the future.
Industry Impact and Expectations
Giwin’s prediction that The Duskbloods will become a model for other developers carries significant weight given FromSoftware’s track record. When Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice launched in 2019, its posture-based combat system influenced numerous action games that followed, from Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order to indie titles like Sifu. If The Duskbloods successfully integrates innovative multiplayer systems with FromSoftware’s signature challenging gameplay, it could similarly shape how developers approach multiplayer action RPGs.
The game’s focus on roles and emergent storytelling through player interactions represents a bold experiment for FromSoftware. While the studio has always included multiplayer elements in its games, from Dark Souls’ invasion system to Elden Ring’s cooperative summons, The Duskbloods appears to be taking these concepts much further by making them central to the entire experience rather than optional features.
Community Reactions
Fan reactions to The Duskbloods have been decidedly mixed since its announcement. Hardcore FromSoftware fans who love the studio’s single-player experiences have expressed concern about the heavy multiplayer focus, worrying that the game might lose the contemplative, atmospheric exploration that defines Souls games. Director Hidetaka Miyazaki has addressed these concerns by stating that FromSoftware will continue developing single-player-focused games and is not moving away from that core identity.
On the other hand, many players are excited to see FromSoftware experimenting with new formulas. The success of Elden Ring Nightreign’s beta test has given fans confidence that the studio can successfully transition their design philosophy to multiplayer-focused experiences. The gothic Victorian aesthetic and potential connections to Bloodborne have also generated substantial enthusiasm, particularly among fans who have been waiting years for anything resembling a Bloodborne sequel or spiritual successor.
FAQs
When was The Duskbloods greenlit for development?
According to Chinese journalist Giwin, The Duskbloods was greenlit before 2019, even before Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice began its marketing campaign. This means the game has been in development for over six years, spending more time in prototyping than any other FromSoftware title.
When will The Duskbloods be released?
The Duskbloods is scheduled to launch exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026. A more specific release date has not been announced yet, but new information is expected soon, potentially at The Game Awards 2025 in December.
Will The Duskbloods come to PC, PlayStation, or Xbox?
Currently, The Duskbloods is only confirmed for Nintendo Switch 2 as an exclusive title. However, since FromSoftware owns the IP (unlike Bloodborne, which Sony owns), it could potentially release on other platforms after a timed exclusivity period. No such announcements have been made.
How many players can play The Duskbloods?
The Duskbloods supports up to eight players simultaneously in a mixed PvPvE (player versus player versus environment) format. Players can cooperate to fight bosses, invade other players’ worlds, or compete in special Blood Moon Ritual events.
Is The Duskbloods a sequel to Bloodborne?
No, The Duskbloods is not a sequel to Bloodborne. While it shares similar gothic Victorian aesthetics and vampire-like themes, it is a completely separate IP owned by FromSoftware. Director Hidetaka Miyazaki has stated the game reinterprets romantic themes associated with vampires through the Bloodsworn characters.
Who is Giwin and are these leaks reliable?
Giwin is a Chinese journalist known for accurately leaking details about FromSoftware games, including specific information about Elden Ring bosses like Radahn and Rykard before their official reveals. While his track record suggests reliability, all leaked information should be taken with caution until officially confirmed by FromSoftware.
Will FromSoftware stop making single-player games?
No. Director Hidetaka Miyazaki has explicitly stated that FromSoftware will continue actively developing single-player-focused games despite creating multiplayer titles like The Duskbloods and Elden Ring Nightreign. The studio wants to stay true to its established legacy while also experimenting with new formats.
Conclusion
The revelation that The Duskbloods has been in development since before 2019 demonstrates FromSoftware’s commitment to creating something truly innovative with this project. The extended prototyping period suggests the studio is taking significant creative risks, implementing gameplay systems and multiplayer mechanics that could potentially reshape expectations for what a FromSoftware game can be. With marketing expected to ramp up soon after the Elden Ring Nightreign DLC launches in early December, fans won’t have to wait much longer to see what six-plus years of development has produced. Whether The Duskbloods becomes the industry trendsetter that Giwin predicts remains to be seen, but FromSoftware’s track record suggests they’ve earned the benefit of the doubt. For Nintendo Switch 2 owners and FromSoftware enthusiasts willing to invest in the new console, 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting year with a genuinely experimental title from one of gaming’s most respected developers.