The Duskbloods will have players take on the role of a Bloodsworn, but rest assured, it's not Bloodborne 2. Dive into the details below to discover FromSoftware's vision for The Duskbloods and its innovative features.
FromSoftware Will Continue To Create Single-Player Focused Games
The Duskbloods Director on Nintendo’s Creator’s Voice Blog
FromSoftware, renowned for their critically acclaimed Soulslike games, has reassured fans that they remain committed to developing single-player experiences, even as they venture into multiplayer territories. During the April 2 Nintendo Direct, they unveiled their upcoming exclusive for the Nintendo Switch 2, The Duskbloods, a PvPvE game that maintains the studio's signature Soulslike atmosphere. This announcement comes alongside another multiplayer project, Elden Ring Nightreign.
In an insightful post on Nintendo's new blog, Creator’s Voice, dated April 4, FromSoftware's Director Hidetaka Miyazaki shared insights into their upcoming projects. He emphasized that despite the focus on multiplayer games like The Duskbloods, the studio's dedication to crafting single-player titles remains unwavering.
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 thematic core, which revolves around the concept of blood. Players will assume the role of "Bloodsworn," members of a faction endowed with superhuman abilities derived from special blood. While drawing parallels to vampires, Miyazaki clarified that these characters would not be portrayed as traditional monstrous figures.
In The Duskbloods, Bloodsworn compete for "The First Blood," which emerges during "The Twilight of Humanity," an apocalyptic event spanning 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 further explained the symbolic use of blood in 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 Duskbloods’ trailer showcased a diverse array of characters, each with unique designs and personalities. Miyazaki confirmed that players would have access to over a dozen characters, with options for customization. He said, "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 begin their journey at a central "hub" where they can select and customize their character before diving into online multiplayer sessions that support up to 8 players. Upon completing a match, players return to the hub to collect their rewards, primarily used for character customization.
Matches typically conclude with one player remaining, though specific victory conditions may vary. Players may sometimes need to defeat a formidable boss or engage in 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 can take on specific responsibilities and objectives. While details are still being refined, Miyazaki provided examples like "Destined Rivals," where players must seek out and defeat their rival, and "Destined Companion," where forming a bond with a partner leads to 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 post provided a wealth of information on 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 dedicated article below!
