The Duskbloods: FromSoftware Unveils New Details, Confirms Over 12 Playable Characters and Ongoing Commitment to Single Player Games

In what was arguably the most surprising moment of the recent Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, FromSoftware officially announced The Duskbloods, a new PvPvE action title set to launch exclusively on Nintendo’s next-generation console in 2026. Following the reveal, Nintendo has published an extensive “Creator’s Voice” interview with Hidetaka Miyazaki, FromSoftware’s president and the legendary creator behind Demon’s Souls, Dark Souls, Sekiro, and Elden Ring.

A Vampire-Inspired PvPvE Title Built Around Drama, Lore, and Player Agency

According to Miyazaki, development on The Duskbloods initially began on the original Nintendo Switch. However, when approached by Nintendo about the Switch 2, FromSoftware determined that the game’s scope and performance demands were better suited for the more powerful hardware. The result is a new online multiplayer experience grounded in vampire-inspired mythos — but with FromSoftware’s signature dramatic flair.

Players will choose from over a dozen playable characters known as the Bloodsworn — individuals who gain superhuman abilities by drinking a special blood. While the core concept echoes traditional vampire tropes, Miyazaki emphasized that The Duskbloods embraces the romanticism of the lore rather than horror, setting it apart stylistically and tonally from other works in the genre.

Core Mechanics and World Design

Each character in The Duskbloods brings unique abilities and some level of customization. Interestingly, unlike FromSoftware’s past work, ranged combat will play a central role, with most characters wielding firearms in addition to traditional melee tools. This adaptation stems from the game’s timeline-hopping narrative, which sees characters summoned across varied eras into the “Twilight of Humanity,” a mysterious setting comprised of dramatically different locales, as seen in the debut trailer.

The main game loop begins in a hub area, from which players launch into matches accommodating up to eight participants. Standard PvP matches will often revolve around a “last one standing” victory condition, but alternative mission types — such as boss-focused PvE encounters or special events — are part of a broader dynamic match structure.

Victory Points are another key innovation, rewarding a range of playstyles not limited to direct combat. This opens up the design to more varied strategic gameplay and supports Miyazaki’s stated goal of accommodating a wide array of player behavior.

Role System and Player Bonds

One of the most intriguing additions is a developing Role System. Here, players can select roles like Destined Rival or Destined Companion, each adding a layer of narrative and reward to their sessions. The Destined Rival assigns a specific opponent as your nemesis, granting rewards if you manage to defeat them. The Destined Companion, conversely, designates an ally with whom you must form a bond — creating a dual-purpose dynamic that may even foster emergent friendships or betrayals.

FromSoftware Reaffirms Single Player Commitment

Given the multiplayer nature of both The Duskbloods and Elden Ring: Nightreign, fans were quick to wonder whether FromSoftware is shifting away from single-player design. Miyazaki addressed these concerns directly:

“This is an online multiplayer title at its core, but this doesn’t mean we as a company have decided to shift to a more multiplayer-focused direction with titles going forward,” Miyazaki clarified. “We still intend to actively develop single-player focused games that embrace our more traditional style.”

Miyazaki further reiterated that the Nintendo Switch 2 version of Elden Ring is also in development, further reinforcing the studio’s long-term commitment to immersive, narrative-rich solo experiences.

While The Duskbloods remains a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive — much like Bloodborne was to the PlayStation 4 — the game is already generating comparisons to Elden Ring in terms of ambition, while introducing multiplayer mechanics with depth, tension, and purpose. The exact release date is yet to be confirmed, but the title is currently targeting a 2026 window.

What do you think of FromSoftware’s new direction with The Duskbloods? Should it remain exclusive to Switch 2, or would it thrive more broadly across platforms? Share your thoughts below.