Elden Ring Nightreign Ditching Popular FromSoftware Feature

Elden Ring Nightreign: No In-Game Messages, But Enhanced Asynchronous Features

Elden Ring Nightreign will notably deviate from its predecessor by omitting the in-game messaging system, a core element of the Soulsborne experience. FromSoftware's decision, confirmed by game director Junya Ishizaki in a January 3rd interview with IGN Japan, is attributed to the game's design prioritizing shorter, more intense multiplayer sessions.

The asynchronous messaging system, a hallmark of FromSoftware titles, allows players to leave messages for one another, offering assistance, playful misdirection, or humorous commentary. This feature has significantly contributed to player engagement in previous games.

However, Nightreign's anticipated shorter gameplay sessions (approximately 40 minutes each) make the messaging system impractical, according to Ishizaki. The developer aims for a streamlined, fast-paced experience, deeming the messaging system incompatible with this vision.

Beyond Messaging: Preserving Asynchronous Gameplay

While the messaging system is absent, Nightreign retains and enhances other asynchronous features. The bloodstain mechanic, a staple of the series, returns with improvements, allowing players to observe and even loot the ghosts of fallen comrades.

This focus on a more "compressed RPG" experience, as described by Ishizaki, is reflected in Nightreign's planned three-day structure, minimizing downtime and maximizing intensity. The goal is a diverse, consistently engaging multiplayer experience, a significant departure from the more open-ended structure of the original Elden Ring.

Nightreign's reveal trailer at The Game Awards 2024 targeted a 2025 release, though a precise date remains unannounced by FromSoftware and Bandai Namco.