"Duskbloods: Play as Bloodsworn, Not Bloodborne 2"

The Duskbloods will have players take on the role of a Bloodsworn, but rest assured, it's not Bloodborne 2. Dive deeper to discover FromSoftware's vision for The Duskbloods and the unique features it brings to the table.

FromSoftware Will Continue To Create Single-Player Focused Games

The Duskbloods Director on Nintendo’s Creator’s Voice Blog

FromSoftware, the powerhouse behind Elden Ring, has reassured fans that they will continue crafting their signature single-player experiences, akin to the beloved Soulslike genre, even as they venture into multiplayer territories. The recent Nintendo Direct on April 2 unveiled their upcoming exclusive for the Nintendo Switch 2, titled The Duskbloods, an online multiplayer PvPvE game that retains the iconic Soulslike themes and aesthetics. This announcement comes as a surprise, considering another multiplayer title, Elden Ring Nightreign, is also on the horizon.

In an insightful post on Nintendo’s new Creator’s Voice blog on April 4, FromSoftware Director Hidetaka Miyazaki addressed the community's concerns. He emphasized that despite the focus on multiplayer with upcoming titles, FromSoftware remains committed to developing traditional single-player games.

Miyazaki stated, "As a side note, please allow me to address one thing. As previously mentioned, this is an online multiplayer title at its core, but this doesn’t mean that we as a company have decided to shift to a more multiplayer-focused direction with titles going forward." He further clarified, "The Nintendo Switch 2 version of Elden Ring was also announced, and we still intend to actively develop single-player focused games such as this that embrace our more traditional style."

The Importance of Blood in The Duskbloods

Miyazaki shed light on the game's narrative and setting, which revolves around the theme of blood. Players will assume the role of "Bloodsworn," members of a faction endowed with superhuman abilities derived from special blood. Drawing a comparison to vampires, Miyazaki clarified that these characters would not embody the traditional monstrous depictions.

In The Duskbloods, Bloodsworn compete for "The First Blood," which emerges at the end of human civilization during an event known as "The Twilight of Humanity." This event spans across various eras and locations.

Elaborating on the game's setting, Miyazaki noted, "There are more traditional Gothic- or Victorian-style maps as well as those depicting the closing years of the early modern period, like the one glimpsed in the trailer with the train running through it."

Miyazaki further explained the symbolic role of blood in the game, stating, "Blood symbolizes one of the game’s key themes—the history it holds, the power it passes on, the fates it weaves, and the marker of those who have surpassed the limitations of their own humanity."

Wide Variety of Characters and Online Multiplayer

The Duskbloods’ trailer showcased a diverse array of characters, each with unique designs and personalities. Miyazaki confirmed that players can choose from over a dozen characters, with some level of customization available. He expressed, "I think there are a lot of unique elements to the character designs and the weapons they use, so hopefully players can find one or two favorites among them."

Players begin their journey at a "hub," where they select and customize their character before diving into online multiplayer sessions, which support up to 8 players. After each match, players return to the hub to collect their rewards, primarily character customization options.

Matches typically conclude when only one player remains, though there are scenarios with different victory conditions. Players might need to defeat a formidable boss or face other unique challenges.

Miyazaki elaborated, "Regardless of whether it’s PvP or PvE, the idea is to provide players with an experience that allows them to learn and hone their skills as they play. We’ve therefore designed the PvE boss encounters to present a tough challenge and a sense of accomplishment upon defeating them."

He also introduced the concept of "roles" within the game, where players have specific duties and objectives. While details are still being finalized, Miyazaki provided examples such as the "Destined Rivals" role, where the player must find and defeat their rival, and the "Destined Companion" role, where the player must locate their partner to form a bond and earn special rewards.

Miyazaki explained, "Roles can be assigned to any character via blood customization, allowing players to enjoy role-playing in a literal sense and hopefully adding to the drama of these engagements."

The Creator’s Voice blog provided valuable insights into FromSoftware’s exclusive title for the Nintendo Switch 2. With more announcements expected in the future, The Duskbloods is set to launch in 2026. Stay tuned for the latest updates on the game by checking out our article below!