# The Duskbloods' promised playtest is happening next month on Switch 2, and it sure looks like getting in will be hard

> **Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-07-15 21:07 UTC · Category: Technology

## Executive Summary
FromSoftware's upcoming title The Duskbloods will hold a limited closed network test on the Nintendo Switch 2 from August 21 to 23.

## Intelligence Brief
The gaming industry is tracking the upcoming playtest for The Duskbloods, a title described as the successor to Bloodborne from developer FromSoftware. According to reports from VGChartz and Men's Journal, a closed network test is officially scheduled to take place from August 21 to August 23. This event is specifically designated for the Nintendo Switch 2 platform. Potential participants are encouraged to sign up soon to secure a spot in the trial, as the registration process and start times have now been revealed to the public. Coverage from Eurogamer.net emphasizes that gaining access to this specific playtest will likely be difficult for many interested users.


This sentiment is echoed by GAMINGbible, which notes that the playtest is free but requires an early sign-up process. Various outlets are focusing on the logistical details of the event, with Men's Journal providing specific information regarding registration and the timing of the network test. The collective reporting highlights a high level of anticipation surrounding the technical performance of the game on the new hardware. Contextual reports from en.softonic.com suggest a level of confusion regarding the project's lineage, noting that there are three games behind the perceived successor to Elden Ring. This complexity adds a layer of intrigue to the identity of The Duskbloods as FromSoftware continues to expand its portfolio.


The association with Bloodborne and Elden Ring positions this new title as a significant release for the studio, making the upcoming Switch 2 network test a critical milestone for both the developer and the gaming community. Looking forward, the primary focus remains on the window between August 21 and August 23. Observers will be watching for the actual rollout of the network test on the Switch 2 and the results of the registration phase. Because coverage does not yet specify the exact number of slots available or the specific criteria for selection, the difficulty of entry remains a central point of discussion. Future updates are expected to clarify the confusion regarding the game's relationship to other FromSoftware titles as the test date approaches.

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|
| GAMINGbible | FromSoftware's Bloodborne successor announces free playtest, sign up soon | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMitAFBVV95cUxOLTRqYy1yd3ZvMC1GeGtuZnVsa2E4UTFPODlyUEJTaFctZTNGV2Vmd2Z0a2tWQzVTWUNaQkpwWmJSZFQ3QzJmUEUtX3JwMm9IRFM3N1RYckZITGtFTTY2bnhONEtnbks5ME5rcVRIdzRSSFN3a3VuaGRKckc2M1FWTHhiUlBOWC1nMDJXRDVNamV1RlpLd2o5VDA3WkIxVEhxNE0zTTlCTEVKRlNwbTJZdGI3SnY?oc=5) |
| Men's Journal | 'The Duskbloods' Nintendo Switch 2 Network Test Information Revealed: Registration, Start Times, and More | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi2gFBVV95cUxPTld2d1ZfRUN1RkREdmNyeXlaWW1ZZzE4c2duLVVTcDhzNnM2U3BLM21qX3JQS2lfS1c0N01tbVF2Q25fV0laR1dkM0VPOW5hN1MySXp1V0phczIxcDU3Vzg1R3BjYjhkcnQwdGV4NjlBSk13YmVKTjkzLUFOVDQ2RkN0VjBOb3R2eWp3a2xWdDhnWkVpcDlHVmcwZ19nQ0hpYVhoVGFsVmhFZWRRV3hPQ1JVMk5kbGJxTmpHYXpjVXVxRGs0MXFULVRhaVJ2OGhxNkRBSDNfb2pVUQ?oc=5) |
| VGChartz | The Duskbloods Closed Network Test Set for August 21 to 23 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMioAFBVV95cUxNb1dGcmMxN2JDUU1VNU5qdDFMTkdWb1B3c0NsSk1MZzNOd296Vl9FTTNVdEg4bUZGQ3VHekpZYmRkNVE5NXQ0UDN5UVVTaE9Pdm1pMGVxc3JZb010ZG03Zmp4NmpNT3cyc0FYREN0SXB5bUNhaE5tZzBLWlFCckR3YmFvWWFOSjNXNnVLZkRJRUR1MkV4cktJWExMbkwzR09B?oc=5) |
| en.softonic.com | Elden Ring ‘successor’ demo confusion: three games are behind it | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMimgFBVV95cUxQb01LcDN3TDZjQXByTkJ3S3FDMFBuNjBHMWViUmtFd0dCS1lsdlJoMnI4dnpMVk53RUhfSTRFVHVGVV9DVEx3ZHA5cWpFQTRhbUxyS0ZHT2tjM2hlN3R4SkVWVTFFa2IzSldSMVhiOXc5cU9teXo4b0dqdUFudjZtS2RqNW5qZ2I5Y21LZkxIdDFKZWVHbmJTUFln?oc=5) |
| Eurogamer.net | The Duskbloods' promised playtest is happening next month on Switch 2, and it sure looks like getting in will be hard | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMib0FVX3lxTFBJWklJMC1GSXVUekx5Y0Q1aklPQ0ZTUlViZVZGRDJkT2dodlRFZTNCVWFSZDJhUDFQeEk0Mm41TVNsbXNtTlZZUTJYRVQtcVQ5bVpveExvcTA1WFdOVU5oSWlKeHBpVmE2Z3pYMDVhdw?oc=5) |

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*Canonical Source: https://pulse.byoviral.com/trend/2026-07-15/the-duskbloods-promised-playtest-is-happening-next-month-on-switch-2-and-it*