The Duskbloods Network Test: How to Apply, Requirements & Deadline

FromSoftware is doing something a little different for their next game, and if you want in on the ground floor, now's your chance. Signups for The Duskbloods Network Test opened today, giving Nintendo Switch 2 owners a shot at stress-testing the servers and getting hands-on with the multiplayer-focused action game before its full launch. The application window is tight, so you'll want to get on this ASAP.

How to Register for the Network Test

Head to the official The Duskbloods Network Test website. You'll need a Nintendo Account to start, so make sure you have that ready. The application period runs from July 22 at 7 am PDT until July 28 at 7 am PDT, and applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

The first thing the site will ask you is to pick your region. This is critical: you must select the region your Nintendo Account is registered in, or the registration will fail outright. When you link your accounts, there's a specific checkbox that trips everyone up. Press the "See details / Edit" dropdown and tick the "Country/region setting" checkbox. Without it, you'll hit an error screen and have to start over.

Once you've submitted, it's a waiting game. FromSoftware will announce the results on August 7, so keep an eye on your email inbox around then.

The Duskbloods Network Test Requirements

You need a few specific things to even be eligible for this test. It's not just about owning a Switch 2 — FromSoftware has a fairly strict list of criteria to ensure they get useful data and testers who can actually participate.

• A Nintendo Switch 2 console.
• An active Nintendo Switch Online membership.
• A Nintendo Account (necessary to complete the application).
• A persistent internet connection. This is an online technical test, not an offline preview build.
• Must be 17 years of age or older.
• Availability to participate during the scheduled sessions and willingness to report issues.
• Agreement to the Terms of Use for the Network Test.
• Willingness to participate in a post-play survey.

Because applications are processed in order, the earlier you apply, the better your odds. There's no lottery or random selection here — it's a sprint.

What's Actually in the Network Test?

Let's be clear: this isn't a demo. FromSoftware is using in-development game data specifically to stress-test their servers, track down bugs, evaluate multiplayer stability, and check balance with real players. The playable content is limited to just a portion of the full game, and many elements will likely differ from the final release.

The test supports online multiplayer matches with up to eight players. Given that The Duskbloods is FromSoftware's most explicit swing at a dedicated multiplayer experience since, well, ever, this is where the real action is. Expect server load tests and balance checks using actual matchmaking data.

One important restriction: you will not be allowed to post or stream videos or screenshots from the Network Test. The Nintendo Switch 2 Capture Button will be disabled during the test sessions, so don't plan on grabbing clips. This is standard practice for network tests, but worth noting if you were hoping to share your experience.

The Duskbloods Network Test Schedule

If you get in, you'll need to block off some specific time slots. The test runs across five distinct sessions from August 21 to August 23. Each session is four hours long, giving you several chances to jump in depending on your timezone.

• Session 1: Aug 21, 3 am – 7 am PDT
• Session 2: Aug 21, 7 pm – 11 pm PDT
• Session 3: Aug 22, 11 am – 3 pm PDT
• Session 4: Aug 23, 3 am – 7 am PDT
• Session 5: Aug 23, 7 pm – 11 pm PDT

The schedule covers a range of early morning, midday, and evening slots across two days, which gives players in different time zones a fair shot at participating. FromSoftware will likely use the gap between sessions to apply fixes and adjust server configurations based on the data they collect.

The Duskbloods is exclusively headed to Nintendo Switch 2 sometime in 2026. If you own the console and have an active Nintendo Switch Online membership, it's absolutely worth tossing your name into the application pile. The deadline is July 28, and results go out on August 7.