Exciting News: Elden Ring Nightreign Announces Network Test for Early Next Year Play; Sign-Up Opens Soon

Elden Ring Nightreign stole the spotlight at The Game Awards yesterday, which is exactly what you’d expect from something touched by the renowned FromSoftware. Bandai Namco has now pulled back the curtain a bit more, announcing an upcoming network test for early next year, with sign-ups kicking off in January.

In case you missed the memo, Nightreign is all about cooperative play, letting you and your friends tackle those formidable bosses from the captivating FromSofftverse in shared environments. Imagine Elden Ring, but this time you’re not just leaving each other cheeky little messages or swooping in to aid—or aggravate—each other’s battles.

This highly anticipated game is aiming for a 2025 release. The network test is scheduled for February of that year, with the registration window opening on January 10. It’s worth noting that the test will be available only for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, leaving PC and older console users out of this early-stage fun.

So, what exactly is in store if you get a coveted spot in the network test? Bandai explains that it’s designed as a “preliminary verification test,” letting a select few dig into a slice of the game ahead of the full release. Think of it as a big dress rehearsal for the game’s online systems, complete with large-scale network load testing.

If it helps, picture these technical trials as just more bosses you have to defeat—except this time, the prize is a rock-solid, smooth-running network for everyone when the game finally launches. Call it the ‘aura of stable network load’ if that helps make your achievement sound cooler when you’re boasting to your pals.

Stay tuned for more Elden Ring buzz, and don’t miss what Sony had to say recently about its keen interest in potentially snapping up FromSoftware’s parent company, Kadokawa.