To say that FromSoftware’s logo popping up at the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct was shocking would be the understatement of the century. The Duskbloods and its announcement whiplash kept soulsborne aficionados alive for more than a year of radio silence. Thankfully, it appears that the wait is close to being over, all thanks to an upcoming network test.
So, if you wish to become a vampire and get the sought-after First Blood, be sure to continue reading to learn how to sign up for The Duskbloods network test.
How to apply for The Duskbloods network test
The process for signing up for The Duskbloods network test is pretty straightforward. All players have to do is access the game’s official site starting on Wednesday, July 22 at 7 a.m. PDT until Tuesday, July 28 at 6:59 a.m. PDT.
To sign up, however, players will need to have a Nintendo Account. Furthermore, to take part in the network test, a Nintendo Switch Online membership is required. And, of course, the game is only playable on the Nintendo Switch 2, so those with the original Nintendo Switch are out of luck.
Still, signing up for the network test is not a guarantee that you will be able to actually test the game, given that it is a limited, closed experience. More than a week later, on Friday, August 7 at 6 a.m. PDT, those selected for The Duskbloods network test will be notified. Finally, on Tuesday, August 18 at 6 a.m. PDT, download codes will be sent so players can download the network test on the Nintendo Store or the Nintendo eShop.
The Duskbloods network test schedule
Five different time slots have been allocated for The Duskbloods network test. You can check these in the list below.
Friday, August 21, 2026: 3 a.m. to 7 a.m. PDT
Friday, August 21, 2026: 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. PDT
Saturday, August 22, 2026: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. PDT
Sunday, August 23, 2026: 3 a.m. to 7 a.m. PDT
Sunday, August 23, 2026: 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. PDT
This schedule may change without notice.
What to expect in The Duskbloods network test
The game’s network test allows for up to eight players to take part in the PvPvE matches. While FromSoftware has yet to share more gameplay footage in addition to what was seen during the April 2025 Nintendo Direct, players can expect to choose their Bloodsworn (a vampire) and alter its blood history to edit the character’s traits, abilities, and in-game roles. Vampires will then face each other and enemies throughout different maps, completing objectives to gain the upper hand against each other and, hopefully, win.
During the closed network test, players will participate in three goals. The first is putting a load on the game’s servers. Then, a multiplayer test will measure what happens when multiple people play together in different network environments. Finally, the network test will help tune balancing issues that may arise.
For that reason, those selected to participate in The Duskbloods can potentially come across bugs, network issues, and even specific Bloodsworn completely dominating the game.
If you want to know more about this upcoming action-RPG, be sure to check out everything you need to know about The Duskbloods.
