Duskbloods Network Test Details
FromSoftware's The Duskbloods Announces August 2026 Network Test for Nintendo Switch 2
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Official time slots for the network test on August 21 and August 23 run from 3:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. PDT, as part of the scheduled August 21–23 testing window.
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Signup windows vary by outlet: the official page lists signups from July 22–28 (PDT), while some outlets report a July 23 start in Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST), with July 28 as the end in that time zone.
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Selected participants are expected to be notified on August 7 if they are chosen to take part in the test.
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Registration is handled through the official site campaign.theduskbloods.jp, which serves as the primary entry point for applying to the network test.
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FromSoftware describes the event as a closed network test intended to stress-test servers and online systems ahead of the game's release.
FromSoftware has announced a closed network test for The Duskbloods, its Switch 2-exclusive multiplayer game, scheduled for August 21 through 23, according to GamesRadar and VGChartz. The test will let up to eight players compete in PvPvE matches — battles where players fight each other and AI enemies at the same time.
Sign-ups open July 22 on the official site, campaign.theduskbloods.jp. Selected players will be notified on August 7. Participants must own a Nintendo Switch 2 and hold an active Nintendo Switch Online membership, GamingBolt reports.
Test Sessions Locked to Early Morning Time Slots
The two confirmed test sessions run from 3:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. PDT on August 21 and August 23. That is a four-hour window each day. GamesRadar notes the test period closes August 23, while some reports from IXBT Games list August 24 as the final day — a small discrepancy likely tied to time zone differences.
The early morning Pacific times translate to afternoon and evening hours in Europe and Asia. Signing up from Australia? The registration window runs July 23 to July 28 in Australian Eastern Standard Time, according to GamesRadar.
FromSoftware Wants to Stress-Test Servers Before Launch
FromSoftware is clear about why this test exists. The studio wants to stress-test its servers and check how the game performs across many different network setups. VGChartz reports the test will run on a pre-release build of the game, meaning it is not the final version players will buy.
The studio also plans to check game balance with a full lobby of eight players. Online multiplayer games often have balance problems — where one character or weapon is too strong — that only show up under real match conditions. This test is designed to catch those issues early, ComicBook reports.
How to Sign Up and What You Need to Qualify
All applications go through campaign.theduskbloods.jp. The sign-up window runs July 22 to July 28 in PDT. After that, FromSoftware reviews applicants and sends out selection notices on August 7, giving chosen players roughly two weeks to prepare before the first session.
To qualify, you need two things: a Nintendo Switch 2 console and a paid Nintendo Switch Online membership. GamingBolt and IXBT Games both confirm the membership requirement. Without it, your application will not be accepted, even if you own the hardware.
Duskbloods Still On Track for a 2026 Release
The Duskbloods is one of the most high-profile titles coming to the Nintendo Switch 2. The network test is a late-stage step, which suggests the game is on pace for a release later in 2026. FromSoftware has not announced an exact launch date yet.
The closed test format means not everyone who applies will get in. FromSoftware will hand-pick participants to keep server load controlled and feedback manageable. ComicBook describes the event as a major early look at how the game's online systems will hold up once it launches to the public.
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