Duskbloods delayed to 2027: FromSoftware cites balance work after network test

FromSoftware, the Japanese studio behind Elden Ring and Dark Souls, has delayed The Duskbloods, its online action game made only for the Nintendo Switch 2, from 2026 to 2027. The studio announced the delay on its official X account on Thursday, October 29, 2026. It did not give a new release date or even a quarter, saying only that the game is in its final adjustment stage and needs more time to work on its rules and balance after a network test held in August.

The Duskbloods is one of the most closely watched games on Nintendo's new console. FromSoftware's games are known for difficult combat and huge global fan bases, and Nintendo is co-publishing this one. A game of that profile slipping out of the year leaves a gap in the Switch 2's 2026 line-up, and several gaming outlets described the move as a blow to the console's list of games from outside studios this year.

The reason given matters as much as the delay itself. In an online game where up to eight people play at once, some against each other and some against computer-controlled enemies, small changes to rules and character strength decide whether matches feel fair. FromSoftware said the August network test showed interest in the game's combat, strategy and player expression, and that it now wants time to tune rules and balance so the game delivers its core ideas. Reports from the test also described technical trouble: server problems on the first day cut short part of the testing, though play continued afterwards.

For young gamers, this is a clear example of how modern games are built in public. A network test is a short window when selected players try an unfinished game so the studio can check its servers and gather data on how people actually play. What testers did in August has now directly changed the release plan. Players who join such tests are, in effect, part of the development process, and their feedback can reshape a game.

Fan reaction online has been mostly supportive. Many players had already expected a delay after the game did not appear in the September Nintendo Direct, Nintendo's regular video showcase of upcoming titles. A common view in comments is that waiting longer is better than receiving an unbalanced online game that has to be fixed after launch.

What should readers do next? If you were planning to buy a Switch 2 mainly for The Duskbloods, there is no need to hurry: the game will not arrive this year. Follow FromSoftware's and Nintendo's official channels for the new date rather than trusting leaked dates or sellers taking pre-orders for an unannounced release, and be careful of fake "beta access" links, which are a common trick used to steal gaming accounts.

Short-term: The Switch 2 loses one of its biggest expected releases for 2026. Players who joined or followed the August network test will not see the game this year, and there is no word yet on whether another test will be held before launch.

Long-term: The extra months give FromSoftware time to fix balance and server issues before release, which matters for an online game whose success depends on matches feeling fair and stable. A smoother launch could help the game keep players for longer, which is important for any online multiplayer title.

Who is affected: Switch 2 owners and buyers, FromSoftware fans around the world including India's growing community of console players, and Nintendo, whose 2026 line-up now has one fewer major exclusive.

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