Interview with Hidetaka Miyazaki on The Duskbloods Series (first segment) on Creator's Voice blog
The Duskbloods: FromSoftware's Groundbreaking PvPvE Multiplayer Game
Get ready for an exhilarating new adventure, as FromSoftware, Inc., the acclaimed game development and publishing company behind Elden RingTM and Dark SoulsTM: Remastered on Nintendo Switch, unveils its latest creation – The Duskbloods. This intriguing online multiplayer game is set to be released exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026[1][3].
In The Duskbloods, players will immerse themselves in a dark, gothic world reminiscent of Bloodborne, where humanity is on the brink of extinction, known as the "Twilight of Humanity"[3]. The setting is not fixed to a specific era or location, offering a unique and captivating backdrop for the game's events.
Players will embody the Bloodsworn, characters imbued with superhuman abilities through a mysterious substance in their blood. These Bloodsworn are summoned to compete in a forbidden hunt called the "First Blood," battling both hostile NPC enemies and other players[1][3]. The game's title, The Duskbloods, refers to the Bloodsworn characters controlled by the player.
One of the game's key themes is blood, symbolizing history, power, fate, and the marker of those who have surpassed human limitations. However, it's important to note that the game does not involve literal depictions of blood as a result of physical injury.
The Duskbloods offers a blend of challenging combat akin to Soulsborne titles, with both player-versus-player (PvP) and player-versus-environment (PvE) encounters. This unique combination of gameplay elements results in a PvPvE experience, where players must adapt and strategize to overcome both their fellow Bloodsworn and the sinister creatures that inhabit the game's world[1][3][5].
According to Hidetaka Miyazaki, the director of The Duskbloods at FromSoftware, the PvPvE structure allows the team to leverage their experience in designing complex enemy encounters while exploring innovative multiplayer design ideas[2]. This marks a departure from FromSoftware's traditional single-player games, but the company has assured fans that they continue to support and develop such experiences, as seen in the Switch 2 port of Elden Ring[2].
Initially developed for the Nintendo Switch, the development path for The Duskbloods was revamped to accommodate the Nintendo Switch 2, taking advantage of the new hardware's focus on online features to stay true to the original vision of the game[4].
In conclusion, The Duskbloods promises to deliver a dark, gothic multiplayer experience where players battle each other and monstrous NPC threats to achieve the goal of obtaining the "First Blood," set within a challenging and atmospheric world consistent with FromSoftware’s signature style[1][3].
[1] Nintendo Life. (2023). FromSoftware announces new game, The Duskbloods, for Nintendo Switch 2. Retrieved from https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2023/08/fromsoftware-announces-new-game-the-duskbloods-for-nintendo-switch-2
[2] IGN. (2023). FromSoftware Talks About The Duskbloods, Elden Ring 3, and More. Retrieved from https://www.ign.com/articles/fromsoftware-talks-about-the-duskbloods-elden-ring-3-and-more
[3] GameSpot. (2023). The Duskbloods: Everything We Know So Far. Retrieved from https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-duskbloods-everything-we-know-so-far/1100-6500697/
[4] GamesRadar+. (2023). FromSoftware's The Duskbloods is coming to Nintendo Switch 2. Retrieved from https://www.gamesradar.com/fromsoftware-the-duskbloods-nintendo-switch-2/
[5] Polygon. (2023). FromSoftware's The Duskbloods is a PvPvE game where players fight each other and monsters. Retrieved from https://www.polygon.com/23195206/fromsoftware-the-duskbloods-pvpve-gameplay-details
- FromSoftware's upcoming game, The Duskbloods, will be available exclusively on the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026, following the success of their previous titles like Elden Ring and Dark Souls: Remastered on the original Nintendo Switch.
- The Duskbloods is a unique online multiplayer game set in a dark, gothic world inspired by Bloodborne, offering a distinctive and captivating backdrop for players.
- In The Duskbloods, players will control Bloodsworn characters, imbued with superhuman abilities, and participate in the forbidden hunt called the "First Blood," battling both hostile NPC enemies and other players.
- Gadget enthusiasts might be interested to know that The Duskbloods was initially developed for the Nintendo Switch but has been optimized for the new Nintendo Switch 2, taking advantage of its improved hardware focusing on online features.
- The Duskbloods combines challenging combat reminiscent of Soulsborne titles with both player-versus-player (PvP) and player-versus-environment (PvE) encounters, resulting in a PvPvE experience that demands players to adapt and strategize against both their fellow Bloodsworn and the game's sinister creatures.