Summary

  • An Elden Ring: Nightreign fan has shared their mock-up of what the multiplayer's microtransactions would look like if it were a live-service game.
  • The title will not follow a live-service model, but a full package with unlockable content at launch instead.
  • A majority of fans are glad Nightreign won't be a live-service title and compared its content to Capcom's Monster Hunter series.

An Elden Ring: Nightreign fan has shared a mock-up of what the upcoming multiplayer would look like as a live-service title, highlighting microtransactions that have tickled the community’s funny bone. Elden Ring: Nightreign was revealed at this year’s The Game Awards event, and it was a surprise Soulslike fans didn’t see coming. Despite live-service games being very popular in the gaming industry, FromSoftware’s Elden Ring spin-off will instead offer a full package from the start for players to dive into.

Elden Ring was first released in 2022, followed by the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion in 2024, and the newly-announced co-op title will feature eight playable characters battling against eight boss types. Elden Ring: Nightreign broke a notable FromSoftware tradition by sharing a universe with other Soulslikes from the developer, in addition to being a standout multiplayer from the Japanese studio. The Nameless King from Dark Souls 3 appears to be part of the enemy roster, and fans will also get to revisit the Lands Between, despite Nightreign offering a parallel narrative to the base game.

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Posted on Reddit by Aromatic_Assist_3825, an image was shared in the Elden Ring subreddit detailing a mock-up of a hypothetical live-service feature from Nightreign. Elden Ring: Nightreign won’t use a live-service model, avoiding microtransactions in favor of unlockable content. However, fans rarely miss an opportunity to throw a comical spin on what could have been a live-service Elden Ring game. The creator pretended the fan art was a leaked screenshot from Nightreign’s “Season 1 Elden Pass,” promoting free “ErdCoins” and cosmetics.

Elden Ring Fan Reimagines Nightreign as a Live-Service Game

Elden Ring: Nightreign is confirmed to have a 3-day structure to maximize players’ experience using the game’s core RPG elements, involving exploration during the day with high-octane encounters at night. Most fans are intrigued by this plan and are thankful FromSoftware didn’t make Nightreign a live-service title. Redditors reiterated that the multiplayer is not expected to offer battle passes, microtransactions, or seasons, and may operate similarly to Capcom’s Monster Hunter franchise. Furthermore, other fans compared Nightreign to Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, labeling it an experimental project to gauge what elements will work for future titles.

Ahead of its 2025 launch, Elden Ring: Nightreign will conduct a network playtest, which will allow a handful of players to experience the title and its gameplay mechanics early. The game’s release month is yet to be confirmed, but the lengthy trailer and recent interviews boasted several features to get excited about, including a standalone story and a brand-new take on Spirit Ashes.

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9 /10

Elden Ring Nightreign
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Action RPG
Soulslike
Roguelite
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Systems
PlayStation-1 Xbox-1 PC-1
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Top Critic Avg: 80 /100 Critics Rec: 78%
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Released
May 30, 2025
Developer(s)
From Software
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
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"ELDEN RING NIGHTREIGN is a standalone adventure within the ELDEN RING universe, crafted to offer players a new gaming experience by reimagining the game’s core design.

Join forces with other players to take on the creeping night and the dangers within featuring 3-player co-op.

Take command of uniquely skilled heroes, each possessing their own abilities and distinct flair.

While individually formidable, their skills create powerful synergies when they unite as a team.

Overcome a relentless environmental threat that sweeps through a land that changes between each game session and defeat the magnificent boss of that night!"

Multiplayer
Online Co-Op
Number of Players
1-3
Steam Deck Compatibility
Unknown
Genre(s)
Action RPG, Soulslike, Roguelite