The 2026 gaming landscape is still buzzing from the seismic ripples of last year's Game Awards reveal, where FromSoftware, the studio synonymous with crafting masochistically beautiful worlds, dropped a bombshell that sent shockwaves through the Souls-like community. The announcement of Elden Ring: Nightreign, an online-focused cooperative adventure set in the Lands Between, was a highlight reel moment. However, the initial euphoria was swiftly followed by a collective groan from a significant faction of the gaming populace. As the details of an upcoming network test surfaced, accompanied by the unmistakable logos of PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, a glaring omission became the talk of the town: the personal computer.

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The Console-Exclusive Shindig

FromSoft, in a move that felt both predictable and profoundly disappointing for PC masters, announced that registration for the Nightreign network test would commence on January 10, 2025. This trial run, scheduled for February, is designed to stress-test the game's online infrastructure—a crucial step for a title emphasizing cooperative jolly cooperation (or perhaps more accurately, chaotic co-op survival). Yet, the invitation list seemed to have been printed with a very specific guest list in mind. This isn't a novel strategy for the developer; it's a well-worn page from their playbook. Both Dark Souls 3 and the original Elden Ring conducted their pre-launch network tests solely on consoles, leaving PC enthusiasts to watch from the digital sidelines, nibbling on their keyboards in anticipation.

Why the PC Snub? Follow the Data (Mining)

The rationale behind this platform partiality isn't born from malice, but from pragmatism—and a healthy dose of paranoia. Consoles represent a more fortified, walled garden. Peeking under the hood, or rather, datamining the game's code to unearth every secret, boss, and hidden lore snippet before launch, is a significantly more Herculean task on PlayStation and Xbox hardware. The PC, by its very open nature, is a dataminer's paradise. A single test client can be dissected, analyzed, and laid bare for the entire internet to see, potentially spoiling the meticulously crafted surprises and narrative twists FromSoftware is famous for. By restricting the test to consoles, the studio effectively places a formidable barrier between its unfinished creation and the prying eyes of data archaeologists.

Silver Linings and Launch Windows

For the console faithful, this is cause for celebration! 🎉 It means they'll be the first to experience the new horrors and wonders of the expanded Lands Between. For the PC legion, it's a familiar waiting game. However, this console-centric test does serve as a promising beacon for everyone regarding the full game's release window. Historically, FromSoft's network tests have acted as a reliable launch barometer. The original Elden Ring saw its network test conclude roughly three and a half months before the game's glorious worldwide unleashing. Applying that same temporal logic to Nightreign:

  • Network Test: February 2025

  • Projected Full Release: Late May 2025

This timeline suggests that while PC players may have to endure a few extra months of nail-biting and theory-crafting, the full, glorious, cross-platform experience—where everyone can finally suffer together—might be just a spring season away.

What to Expect in the Nightreign

While details remain shrouded in the game's titular darkness, the confirmed focus on online co-op suggests a shift in FromSoftware's traditional solo-centric formula. Imagine:

  • Persistent Co-op Worlds: Possibly moving beyond the summon-sign system to more seamless, drop-in/drop-out partnerships.

  • New Collaborative Mechanics: Puzzles or challenges specifically designed for multiple Tarnished.

  • The Usual FromSoft Excellence: Brutal combat, breathtaking vistas, and lore so deep you'll need a diving bell.

So, as we stand in 2026, looking back at the announcement that set the stage, the path is clear. Console warriors, ready your controllers for a February trial. PC champions, steel your resolve and maybe start a new playthrough of the original to pass the time. The Nightreign is coming for us all—it's just taking a scenic, platform-exclusive route to get here first.