FromSoftware has officially announced its upcoming title, The Duskbloods, during the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 Direct on April 2, 2025. This revelation marks a significant milestone as it will be the company’s inaugural Nintendo-exclusive offering. Fans are particularly excited about the innovative shift from the studio’s traditional single-player experiences to a multiplayer format.
The announcement stirred varied reactions within the gaming community. While some fans expressed concerns regarding the multiplayer focus, many acknowledged and commended FromSoftware’s willingness to explore new directions. In a Creator’s Voice Blog post on Nintendo’s official site, Hidetaka Miyazaki, the president of FromSoftware, provided insights into the game’s mechanics and its multiplayer essence.
Insights from Hidetaka Miyazaki on Characters and Setting
Miyazaki shed light on the development process, revealing that The Duskbloods was originally intended for the Nintendo Switch. However, the collaboration between Nintendo and FromSoftware led to the decision to launch on the more advanced Nintendo Switch 2. This strategic shift necessitated adjustments to leverage the enhanced hardware capabilities of the Switch 2.
Describing the gameplay dynamics, Miyazaki stated:
“In terms of structure, we consider it a PvPvE (Player vs. Player vs. Environment) title. At its core, it’s an online multiplayer-focused game that integrates both player vs player and player vs enemy gameplay mechanics. I’ve always found the PvPvE structure very interesting. It allows for a broad range of game-design ideas, while also letting us leverage our experience of designing challenging enemy encounters.”
Addressing concerns, Miyazaki reassured fans that FromSoftware will continue to develop single-player games in the future. He further elaborated on the setting and characters, noting:
“The game’s protagonists, or the players’ characters, are known as ‘Bloodsworn.’ This group consists of individuals who have unlocked extraordinary abilities through a unique form of special blood. Conceptually, they share some similarities with vampires, yet they deviate from the conventional portrayal of horrific monsters typically associated with vampirism.”