FromSoftware's The Duskbloods Uses Ranked Matchmaking to Shield Newcomers from Pros

FromSoftware's The Duskbloods Uses Ranked Matchmaking to Shield Newcomers from Pros

FromSoftware is taking a deliberate approach to protecting inexperienced players in its upcoming Switch 2 exclusive The Duskbloods, confirming that skill-based matchmaking will keep highly skilled players in their own ranked pool, ensuring that newer players aren't thrown into unwinnable lobbies. Speaking to IGN, director Hidetaka Miyazaki explained that the game will use a ranked system to separate veterans from newcomers, a decision that stands out in a genre where such matchmaking is often controversial. By pairing great players with each other and new players with fellow beginners, FromSoftware aims to avoid the lopsided matches that can sour multiplayer experiences as the skill gap widens over time.

The Announcement

The Duskbloods, a PvPvE multiplayer game exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2, will launch with a ranked matchmaking system that actively separates players by skill level. Miyazaki confirmed this during an interview, emphasizing that the system isn't just about fairness—it's about preserving the social experience. "In terms of really, really good players, we definitely plan on having the matchmaking system work in a way so that it's ranked, and players who are really good tend to be matched with other players who are great, and players who are new tend to be matched with other new players just to avoid situations like you had mentioned," he said. He also added that even players who don't consistently win matches can still unlock story content and customization through gameplay, providing incentives beyond combat.

The game’s closed network test runs in phases from August 21 to 24, and Miyazaki stressed that the matchmaking details aren't locked in yet—FromSoftware is watching how players respond to systems like Sigil and Virtue points before finalizing the long-term plan.

Why This Now

Skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) has been a persistent flashpoint in multiplayer gaming for years. Titles like Call of Duty and Apex Legends have faced backlash from players who argue that SBMM makes every lobby feel punishingly sweaty, stripping away the casual fun. Yet the opposite problem—new players being relentlessly stomped by veterans—has also driven many away from genres they might otherwise love. FromSoftware seems to be taking a balanced stance, acknowledging that a strict SBMM system can frustrate high-skilled players while recognizing that a total lack of protection can kill a game's growth.

Miyazaki's comments also suggest that the studio is thinking about matchmaking as a long-term community-building tool, not just a short-term fairness fix. For a developer known for punishing single-player experiences like Dark Souls and Elden Ring, this shift into multiplayer design is a significant departure—and one that requires careful onboarding mechanics.

Deconstruct the Impact

For The Duskbloods, this approach means that players who jump in at launch might have a gentler learning curve, at least initially. Newcomers won't face the frustration of dying instantly to a player with hundreds of hours, which could help retain a wider audience. But the biggest test will come later: as the game ages and the casual player base thins, the ranked system could start to feel more restrictive. If high-skill players struggle to find matches in their own tier, they might blame the system for long queue times or stale competition.

Miyazaki also hinted at mechanics that encourage positive cross-skill interactions. He discussed ways to build a "relationship between veteran players and new players—something that's positive and not always scary," such as rare in-match events that are more likely to appear in games with experienced players, and an Alliance system that lets high-rank players opt in to help newcomers, similar to leaving summon signs in Dark Souls boss rooms. This hybrid model—where SBMM protects beginners but also offers optional co-op-like mentoring—could be a clever middle ground, though it remains to be seen how many veterans will actually volunteer to play with lower-skilled players.

The Broader Trend

FromSoftware's move is part of a wider industry conversation about how to balance matchmaking fairness with player satisfaction. For years, multiplayer games have swung between extremes: either aggressively SBMM-heavy (which can make every match feel like a tournament), or almost nonexistent (which can turn off new players). Some recent titles, like Helldivers 2 and Valheim, have thrived by prioritizing PvE cooperation over competitive matchmaking, but The Duskbloods is explicitly PvPvE, requiring a different solution.

The studio's willingness to experiment with systems that reward both skill and participation—like story unlocks for losing players—mirrors trends in games like Fortnite and Apex Legends, where cosmetic rewards and progression systems help soften the sting of defeat. By coupling SBMM with alternative rewards, FromSoftware hopes to make the game accessible without stripping away its competitive edge.

Counterpoint and Skepticism

There are legitimate concerns here. Ranked matchmaking in a game with such an unusual structure—where alliances can shift mid-match and victory conditions are still being defined—might be difficult to implement fairly. If the skill-based pools are too narrow, queue times could spike, especially in less populated regions. And if the system is too broad, it loses its protective function. Miyazaki himself noted that the matchmaking might not launch in its final form and could be adjusted post-release, which suggests the team is aware of these risks.

Additionally, the same high-skilled players who are being separated from newcomers might feel punished for their dedication. In many games, top-tier players complain that SBMM prevents them from relaxing or trying new tactics, forcing them to play at maximum effort every match. FromSoftware's proposed "veteran mentor" mode could help, but it's unclear how many will opt in. Without proper incentives, the system could feel like segregation rather than community building.

What Comes Next

The August closed network test will be the first real opportunity for players—and FromSoftware—to evaluate how these systems perform in the wild. How quickly the ranked pools fill, how players respond to the Alliance system, and whether the story rewards truly keep casual players engaged will all shape the final product. For now, the studio is signaling a thoughtful, player-first approach to a notoriously thorny design problem.

If FromSoftware can pull this off, The Duskbloods could become a case study in how to launch a multiplayer game that respects both newcomers and veterans. If it stumbles, it will join the long list of games that found out the hard way that matchmaking is never just a simple technical decision—it's a social contract.