Elden Ring: Nightreign – A Fan's Hilarious Take on a Live-Service Model

A creative Elden Ring: Nightreign fan has shared a satirical mock-up of what the game could look like if it followed the live-service model, complete with microtransactions, sparking laughter and discussion within the community. Revealed during this year’s The Game Awards, Elden Ring: Nightreign took Soulslike fans by surprise, promising a unique multiplayer experience. Despite the industry trend toward live-service games, FromSoftware’s upcoming title offers a complete experience from the start, steering clear of battle passes and in-game purchases.

Elden Ring, first released in 2022, was followed by the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion in 2024. Now, the multiplayer spin-off introduces a fresh experience, featuring eight playable characters battling against eight distinct boss types. Breaking FromSoftware tradition, Nightreign shares a universe with other Soulslike games while reimagining the genre. Notably, The Nameless King from Dark Souls 3 makes an appearance, alongside a return to the Lands Between in a parallel narrative to the original game.

A Satirical Look at Live-Service Gaming

A Reddit user, Aromatic_Assist_3825, shared a humorous image on the Elden Ring subreddit showcasing a mock-up of Nightreign as a hypothetical live-service game. The artwork parodied the concept of a “Season 1 Elden Pass,” featuring “free ErdCoins” and cosmetic unlockables. While Nightreign avoids this approach entirely, the post highlighted the absurdities of live-service mechanics, much to the community's amusement.

Fans expressed relief that Nightreign won’t adopt microtransactions or seasonal passes, instead focusing on core RPG elements and cooperative gameplay. The project has drawn comparisons to Monster Hunter for its structure and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice for its experimental nature.

What to Expect From Nightreign

Scheduled for a 2025 release, Elden Ring: Nightreign will feature a unique day-night structure, encouraging exploration during the day and high-intensity battles at night. Fans have welcomed this concept, praising FromSoftware for innovating within the multiplayer genre. Ahead of the launch, a network playtest will allow select players to experience the game early. While a specific release month remains unconfirmed, trailers and interviews have teased several exciting features, including a standalone story and a reimagined version of the Spirit Ashes mechanic.

Elden Ring: Nightreign is shaping up to be another standout entry from FromSoftware, with fans eagerly awaiting the opportunity to return to the Lands Between.