Summary

  • Unlike most modern Soulsbornes, Elden Ring Nightreign won't have an in-game messaging system.
  • FromSoftware says it decided to skip its signature feature in Nightreign because the upcoming game won't give players enough time to read and write messages.
  • Nightreign is still planned to retain—and even improve—some of Elden Ring's other asynchronous features.

Elden Ring Nightreign won't allow players to leave messages for one another, a senior FromSoftware official has confirmed. The developer's decision to ditch its signature feature in Elden Ring Nightreign is officially being characterized as a purely practical move.

The ability to combine pre-approved words into asynchronous messages for other players has long been synonymous with FromSoftware's games. Regardless of whether it's used to help others, lie about a "hidden path ahead," or relay situational jokes, this sytem has historically been super successful at generating user engagement, delivering a consistent influx of player messages that some fans would consider an integral part of the modern Soulsborne experience.

Be that as it may, the popular feature won't be returning in Elden Ring Nightreign. That's according to game director Junya Ishizaki, who said as much in a January 3 interview with IGN Japan. Elaborating on this omission, Ishizaki explained that the game's multiplayer-first design would have been a poor fit for an asynchronous messaging system, claiming that Elden Ring Nightreign players simply won't have enough time to mess around with written notes.

Nightreign Isn't Ditching All of Elden Ring's Asynchronous Features

While a typical Elden Ring gameplay session can easily go on for hours, FromSoftware anticipates Nightreign will be played in noticeably shorter intervals of roughly 40 minutes a piece. Since this will inevitably make the overall experience much more intense, the developer decided to ditch the in-game messaging system in a bid to deliver a more streamlined and better-paced experience.

That's not to say that the game will be doing away with all of its predecessor's asynchronous functionality. On the contrary, some classic community features have already been confirmed to be coming back. E.g. The bloodstain mechanic will return in Elden Ring Nightreign stronger than ever, allowing players to not only see how their peers died but even loot their ghosts.

FromSoft Wants Elden Ring Nightreign To Be 'Compressed'

Limiting player-to-player communications by doing away with a dedicated messaging system seemingly dovetails with FromSoftware's overall vision for the game, which is geared toward creating a more consistently intense and multiplayer-focused experience compared to the first entry in the series. The decision to have Elden Ring Nightreign adopt a three-day structure also stems from this ambition. Speaking to IGN Japan, Ishizaki said FromSoftware seeks to deliver "a compressed RPG" with a lot of variety and little to no downtime.

Elden Ring Nightreign's TGA 2024 reveal trailer confirmed that the game is targeting a 2025 launch. However, FromSoftware and Bandai Namco have yet to commit to a more concrete release window.

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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