FromSoftware fans have been circling August on their calendars since the June Nintendo Direct, and now the exact dates are locked in. The Duskbloods Network Test runs from August 21 to August 24, giving Switch 2 owners their first real shot at FromSoftware's multiplayer action game before its full 2026 launch. If you've been keeping tabs on the bloodsoaked action side of this year's Switch 2 lineup alongside The Blood of Dawnwalker, this is the hands-on moment the community has been waiting for.
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Sign-ups open before the end of July
Applications to join the Network Test go live on July 22, so there's roughly a week from today to prepare. A Nintendo Switch Online subscription is required to participate, which is worth flagging now if yours has lapsed. Nintendo announced the test window via its official channels, framing the game as a multiplayer action experience where up to eight players fight as the Bloodsworn, competing to claim the coveted First Blood while wielding blood-based powers that reshape both character and combat style.
Here's the lowdown on every active session window during the test period:
Five sessions spread across four days gives most time zones at least one reasonable window, though that 3 AM slot on August 22 and 24 will be a test of dedication for European players.
What the Network Test actually represents
The key here is that this isn't just a technical stress test. FromSoftware building a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive multiplayer game is a significant shift from the studio's predominantly single-player catalogue. The Duskbloods sits in genuinely unfamiliar territory for FromSoftware, and the Network Test will reveal how the studio's signature combat design translates into a competitive eight-player format.
Kadokawa, FromSoftware's parent company, confirmed earlier this year that The Duskbloods remains on track for a 2026 release exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2. No specific launch date has been announced beyond that, making this August test the clearest signal yet of where the game sits in its development cycle.
The bigger picture for Switch 2 exclusives
The Duskbloods is one of the more unexpected Switch 2 exclusives on the horizon, and its Network Test arriving in August keeps it firmly in the conversation during what's shaping up to be a competitive second half of 2026 for the platform. The game's blend of RPG mechanics with aggressive multiplayer structure is a combination that hasn't been attempted at this scale by FromSoftware before.
What this means for gamers is simple: if you own a Switch 2, the August test window is worth your time regardless of how you feel about multiplayer games. Seeing FromSoftware's design philosophy applied to an eight-player format is the kind of thing you want an opinion on before the full game drops. Check out our gaming guides closer to launch for everything you'll need heading into the full release.
