FromSoftware's Switch 2 Exclusive The Duskbloods Announces Summer Closed Network Test
FromSoftware revealed a new trailer for The Duskbloods during Tuesday's Nintendo Direct and confirmed a closed network test will take place in summer 2026. The game, a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive, was first announced in April 2025 but has yet to receive a release date or detailed gameplay reveal. The network test marks a significant step toward launch and may signal a release date announcement is forthcoming.
During a Nintendo Direct presentation on June 9, 2026, FromSoftware showed a new trailer for The Duskbloods, its gothic, Bloodborne-esque multiplayer action game exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2. The trailer showcased atmospheric visuals — including a blood-red moon over ruins and a rune-covered talking rat — but offered limited gameplay detail. A closed network test was confirmed for summer 2026, though specific dates and sign-up requirements have not yet been announced. The Duskbloods is a PvPvE title supporting up to eight players who compete for a prize called the 'First Blood' while also battling AI enemies, using blood-based powers that alter characters and combat styles. Director Hidetaka Miyazaki has noted the game originated as a concept for the original Nintendo Switch before being expanded for Switch 2 hardware. The announcement follows a similar pattern to Elden Ring Nightreign, whose closed network test preceded a release date reveal by roughly one month, raising hopes that a launch window for The Duskbloods could be announced soon. FromSoftware also has Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition arriving on Switch 2 on August 28, 2026.
What's missing
No sign-up details, eligibility requirements, or specific dates for the closed network test have been announced; it is also unclear how many players will be accepted or which regions will be included.
What different sources said
- EngadgetCenter
FromSoftware's Switch 2 exclusive The Duskbloods will have a closed network test soon
- TechRadarCenter
Hold out for a little longer FromSoft fans — The Duskbloods will get a closed network test this summer, but a release date for the full game has yet to be announced
- PolygonCenter
The Duskbloods will be playable on Nintendo Switch 2 this summer
Related
Samsung Galaxy S25 and S25 FE See Significant Price Cuts
Samsung's Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25 FE smartphones are currently available at notably reduced prices, with the S25 FE dropping $201 (33%) to $449 on Woot for a limited time. The price reductions come amid a competitive smartphone market and ahead of anticipated future Samsung releases. The discounts make previously premium-priced devices more accessible to budget-conscious consumers.
Anthropic Disables Fable 5 and Mythos 5 AI Models Globally After US Government Export Control Order
Anthropic has suspended all public access to its two most advanced AI models, Fable 5 and Mythos 5, after the US Commerce Department issued an export control directive ordering the company to block foreign nationals from accessing them on national security grounds. The order came just three days after Fable 5's public launch and reportedly stems from government concerns about a potential jailbreak that could enable the models to assist with cyberattacks, though Anthropic says it received only verbal evidence of a narrow, non-universal vulnerability. The shutdown affects all customers globally — including enterprise users and Anthropic employees — and marks a significant escalation of US efforts to restrict foreign access to advanced AI models themselves, rather than just the chips that power them.
Xbox Free Play Days Offers Three Games Free to Play June 11–14
Microsoft's Xbox Free Play Days program is offering Hell Let Loose, State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition, and Blasphemous 2 at no cost from June 11 to June 14. Hell Let Loose requires an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, or Essential membership, while State of Decay 2 and Blasphemous 2 (via a five-hour timed trial) are accessible to all Xbox console owners. Players who wish to keep any of the games can purchase them at a limited-time discount and retain any achievements earned during the free period.