The Duskbloods
News, coverage and analysis tracking The Duskbloods across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Fall’s Video Game Release Slate Is Intimidatingly Good And Completely Doomed
The Fall 2026 video game release schedule is packed with highly anticipated titles, but this glut is predicted to cause a 'bloodbath' in the industry. Intense competition for consumer dollars and a worsening global economy are expected to lead to significant underperformance, layoffs, and potential studio closures, particularly for smaller developers. Even major publishers may struggle to navigate the crowded market, with few likely to emerge unscathed.
FromSoftware's first-ever player romance builds on "the maidens in Elden Ring," says Hidetaka Miyazaki: "It's a transient, ephemeral love, which is maybe a motif I'm striving for"
Hidetaka Miyazaki, director at FromSoftware, discusses the player-to-player romance feature in the upcoming game The Duskbloods, comparing it to the NPC relationships in Elden Ring and Dark Souls 3. He describes the feature as a 'transient, ephemeral love' and a sense of 'secure trust' rather than traditional romance, though player experiences in network tests suggest it can be contentious.
Game Director Finally Addresses His Rumored Foot Fetish–Wait, Not Kojima, The Other One
Game director Hidetaka Miyazaki addressed fan speculation about foot imagery in his games, clarifying it's not a conscious focus. He suggested it might be subconscious or a misunderstanding, while acknowledging the presence of barefoot characters in titles like Elden Ring and Dark Souls.
Elden Ring director denies he has a Tarantino style foot fetish
FromSoftware president Hidetaka Miyazaki addressed fan speculation about his alleged foot fetish, denying the claim and suggesting it stems from a subconscious exploration of human nature and connection. He also discussed the upcoming Nintendo Switch exclusive The Duskbloods, drawing parallels between its themes of trust and characters like the maidens in Elden Ring.
Two Nintendo Directs confirmed for next week and one is all about Zelda
Nintendo has announced two Nintendo Direct presentations for the upcoming week. The first, airing September 8, will celebrate The Legend of Zelda's 40th anniversary and is expected to feature the Ocarina of Time remake and potentially news on the live-action movie. The second Direct will air on September 9, showcasing upcoming winter releases for the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2.
Hidetaka Miyazaki says he has no idea why people think "I have a bit of a thing for feet," apparently forgetting all the barefoot women in FromSoftware games
In a new interview, FromSoftware president Hidetaka Miyazaki addressed fan theories about his supposed fascination with feet, stating he is unsure of the rumor's origin. He also discussed recurring hand motifs in games like The Duskbloods and Elden Ring, and the symbolic meaning behind character design choices such as bare feet.
A September 10 Nintendo Direct Is Looking Likely Thanks To Just Dance
Evidence suggests a Nintendo Direct presentation is likely to occur on September 10, potentially featuring the official reveal of Just Dance: Decades of Hits. This date aligns with Nintendo's historical patterns for pre-Tokyo Game Show announcements and previous September Directs. The presentation is also expected to provide updates on upcoming 2026 titles like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake and FromSoftware's The Duskbloods.
Famitsu’s most wanted games – August 30, 2026 – Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave overtakes Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Famitsu's latest most wanted games chart shows Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave has overtaken The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for the second spot, likely due to recent Nintendo Direct announcements and upcoming launch hype. Castlevania: Belmont's Curse also debuted on the list at number 30.
This Week in Switch 2 - Elden Ring Tarnished Edition preview & gamescom Opening Night Live reaction
This Week in Switch 2 covers David's impressions of Elden Ring Tarnished Edition and reactions to gamescom Opening Night Live. The episode also features previews of The Duskbloods and Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave, alongside discussions about the Nintendo Switch 2 hardware and operating system. Shacknews staff also shared their opinions on the console throughout its launch year.
The Duskbloods Feels Like a Nintendo Party Game in a Bloody Wrapper
The Duskbloods, a game with a grotesque exterior in line with FromSoftware's style, plays similarly to a classic Nintendo multiplayer game. Despite its bloody appearance, its core gameplay mechanics resemble those found in traditional Nintendo party titles.
Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026 report - all the news and announcements as Witcher 3 expansion Songs of the Past shown for first time
Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026, hosted by Geoff Keighley, showcased new game announcements and updates. Highlights included the first look at The Witcher 3 expansion Songs of the Past, footage of Warlock, and a glimpse at the final Final Fantasy 7 Remake installment. Potential reveals for Alien: Isolation 2, Guild Wars 3, and Diablo 4 on Nintendo Switch 2 were also speculated, alongside release date confirmations for titles like The Duskbloods.
Despite being a Switch 2 exclusive, The Duskbloods closed network test had more applications than Elden Ring Nightreign
The Duskbloods' closed network test attracted more player applications than Elden Ring's, despite being exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2. Game producer Yasuhiro Kitao expressed surprise at the response, noting the significantly smaller install base of the Switch 2 compared to the platforms Elden Ring's test ran on (PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One). Despite early connectivity issues, the developer is optimistic about the game's potential player interest.
Games Inbox: Will the new The Witcher 3 DLC be worth getting?
Readers discuss upcoming DLC for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and the potential for a new trilogy, alongside concerns about CD Projekt's multiple ongoing projects. Other topics include Hideo Kojima's game design choices, the Metal Gear Solid Master Collection, and a boycott against Sony's digital-only game policies for the PlayStation 5, with discussions on Grand Theft Auto 6 leaks and the possibility of a Hot Coffee-style minigame.
My FOMO over The Duskbloods not coming to PC evaporated once I actually played it
A preview of FromSoftware's upcoming multiplayer game, The Duskbloods, reveals a confusing but intriguing experience, despite significant input lag on the Nintendo Switch. While the game shares DNA with Elden Ring and features unique systems like recruiting enemies and permanent Kin companions, its core gameplay loop of farming enemies for 'Virtue' feels aimless and lacks compelling PvP integration. The article expresses concern that the game may not live up to expectations, especially for PC players who might be excluded due to potential exclusivity.
The Duskbloods Playtest Was Even More Popular Than Elden Ring Nightreign’s
FromSoftware producer Yasuhiro Kitao revealed that the playtest for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive, The Duskbloods, received more sign-ups than Elden Ring's multiplayer experiment. Despite Elden Ring's massive success and availability on multiple platforms, The Duskbloods garnered higher interest on the Switch 2, a platform with a smaller user base. This increased interest may be due to the anticipation for Hidetaka Miyazaki's involvement and the mystery surrounding the game's mechanics.
The Duskbloods network test was not good between lag, stuttering, and bad PvP
The network test for FromSoftware's upcoming multiplayer action game, The Duskbloods, was plagued by significant technical issues including lag, stuttering, and a jerky camera, severely impacting the PvP experience. Despite combining PvP and PvE elements with board game mechanics, the game's performance problems and convoluted rules made for a frustrating experience, drawing unfavorable comparisons to previous FromSoftware titles like Elden Ring: Nightreign.
Why A Nintendo Direct Is Likely To Happen Next Month
Nintendo has a strong history of holding Nintendo Direct presentations in September, with nine out of the last ten years featuring an event in that month. This pattern suggests a new Direct is likely next month to reveal release dates for upcoming titles like The Duskbloods and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake, as well as to showcase games planned for the Switch 2's lineup in 2025 and beyond.
FromSoftware's Hidetaka Miyazaki says The Duskblood's Zork is the perfect example of his design philosophy, and a man of culture: "They are a species with intelligence and philosophy"
FromSoftware director Hidetaka Miyazaki discussed his design philosophy for The Duskbloods, emphasizing a broad approach to character creation beyond traditional vampire or monster archetypes. He highlighted Zork, a character from the network test, as a prime example of this philosophy, showcasing intelligence, philosophy, and culture.
All Duskbloods Bloodsworn characters you can play as
The Duskbloods features a diverse roster of playable characters, known as Bloodsworn, each with unique weapons, skills, and passive abilities. The article details six known characters like Albert, Bloodhand Jan, Trang Lanh, Sniper Layla, Senator Samir Patres, and Zork, with mentions of unrevealed characters. The game is confirmed not to be releasing on PC, PlayStation 5, or Xbox Series X.
The Duskbloods network test was more popular than Elden Ring: Nightreign test
FromSoftware producer Yasuhiro Kitao revealed that The Duskbloods' closed network test saw higher participation than Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree's network test. The development team expressed surprise at this outcome, given The Duskbloods' relative newness.