Elden Ring Nightreign: New Details and Playtest Date Announced

Hot on the heels of its unexpected announcement at this year’s Game Awards, Bandai Namco has officially confirmed that Elden Ring Nightreign will receive a network playtest—and it’s happening sooner than many fans anticipated. Registration for the playtest opens in January, and selected players will get a chance to dive in as early as next month.

A New Chapter for Elden Ring

Released in 2022, Elden Ring remains a dominant force in the gaming world. The beloved action RPG captivated audiences once again at last night’s Game Awards. This summer, fans were treated to the much-anticipated Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, which expanded the Lands Between with new items, weapons, and fearsome bosses. While this kept players engaged, many were left wondering what would come next—especially after developers confirmed that a direct sequel was not in the works. That question was answered with the unveiling of Elden Ring Nightreign.

Bandai Namco announced on its official Twitter account that Nightreign will have a network test starting January 10. Selected participants will get early access to a portion of this brand-new Elden Ring adventure before its full release later next year. The test aims to evaluate the game’s technical performance, as Nightreign is shaping up to be one of FromSoftware’s most online-focused titles yet.

Elden Ring Nightreign Playtest: What to Expect

Details about Elden Ring Nightreign are still limited, but it has been described as a standalone adventure within the Elden Ring universe. This time, the focus will shift heavily towards cooperative gameplay. According to Bandai Namco, Nightreign reimagines the original game’s core design, offering players a fresh experience. Co-op gameplay has always been a staple of FromSoftware’s games, but Nightreign aims to make it integral, allowing up to three players to team up and face the challenges of "the creeping night."

Elden Ring’s enduring popularity is no surprise, given the base game’s richly detailed world and the massive success of the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, which was among the Game of the Year nominees at this year’s Game Awards. With Elden Ring Nightreign set to launch in 2025, the game will enter an already competitive year for the video game industry—but fans are eagerly awaiting this bold new chapter in the Lands Between.