Elden Ring Nightreign’s First Network Test Plagued by Server Issues, FromSoftware Issues Apology

Elden Ring Nightreign's initial network test, currently underway, is experiencing substantial server difficulties, hindering many players' participation.

IGN staff involved in the test reported severe server problems, rendering the game inaccessible for the first hour. The issues were so widespread that FromSoftware released a social media statement acknowledging the server congestion preventing players from finding matches. While apologizing for the inconvenience, they encouraged players to retry after some time.

The limited availability of the Elden Ring Nightreign network test – five three-hour sessions between February 14th and 17th on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S – further compounds the problem. The schedule is as follows:

Elden Ring Nightreign Network Test Session Times:

• February 14: 3am-6am PT / 6am-9am ET
• February 14: 7pm-10pm PT / 10pm-1am ET
• February 15: 11am-2pm PT / 2pm-5pm ET
• February 16: 3am-6am PT / 6am-9am ET
• February 16: 7pm-10pm PT / 10pm-1am ET

Bandai Namco describes the test as a "preliminary verification test" allowing selected players to experience a portion of the game before the full release. They emphasize the test's purpose is to evaluate the online system's performance and functionality.

Although preferable to encountering these server issues at launch (May 30th, 2025), the current problems have understandably frustrated players who had allocated time for the test. Hopefully, future sessions will proceed more smoothly.

Elden Ring Nightreign, a standalone cooperative spin-off from FromSoftware, is set in a world parallel to the original Elden Ring. The network test allows three-player teams to battle "new terrors," explore a dynamic map, overcome progressively challenging bosses, and ultimately confront the Nightlord. The test features a three-day-and-night cycle that teams must endure.

IGN previously had hands-on experience with an early Elden Ring Nightreign build, describing the gameplay as a "turbocharged" version of Elden Ring's dungeon crawls, emphasizing its fast-paced action. [Link to IGN's hands-on preview]

[Link to IGN's interview with game director Junya Ishizaki]

Elden Ring Nightreign will be available on May 30th, 2025, priced at $40 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC (Steam).

Which other Dark Souls bosses should be included in Elden Ring Nightreign?

Ornstein and Smough (Dark Souls)Artorias the Abysswalker (Dark Souls)Looking Glass Knight (Dark Souls 2)Burnt Ivory King (Dark Souls 2)Dancer of the Boreal Valley (Dark Souls 3)Pontiff Sulyvahn (Dark Souls 3)Other (specify in comments)