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 significant server difficulties, hindering many players' participation.

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

The limited availability of the test—five three-hour windows between February 14th and 17th on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S—exacerbates the problem. The schedule is as follows:

Elden Ring Nightreign Network Test Schedule:

• 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 launch. They emphasized its purpose as a large-scale network stress test to evaluate online functionality and performance.

While preferable to encounter these issues now rather than at the May launch, players who allocated time for the test have expressed their disappointment. Hopefully, future sessions will proceed more smoothly.

Elden Ring Nightreign, a standalone cooperative spin-off, is set in a parallel world to 2022's Elden Ring. The network test allows three players to team up, battling "against new terrors, exploring an ever-changing map to defeat increasingly challenging bosses and ultimately confront the Nightlord," according to Bandai Namco. The test features a three-day-and-night cycle that players must endure.

IGN previously had hands-on time with an early build, describing Elden Ring Nightreign as transforming "the cautious dungeon crawls of Elden Ring into propulsive, slash ‘n’ dash speedruns." [Link to IGN's hands-on preview]

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

Elden Ring Nightreign releases May 30, 2025, priced at $40 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam.