The highly anticipated Elden Ring Nightreign network test, a chance for fans to get an early glimpse of FromSoftware's next chapter, kicked off with a whimper rather than a bang in its first session back in February 2025. Players who had eagerly signed up for the limited-time opportunity, some setting alarms for the wee hours, found themselves staring at login screens that refused to budge. It was a classic case of the servers buckling under the sheer weight of expectation—a digital traffic jam that left many in the community feeling, well, a bit ghosted.
FromSoftware's Swift Response and Server Woes
To its credit, FromSoftware didn't leave players twisting in the wind. The developer was on the case faster than you can say "You Died," posting an explanation on its Player Support account within half an hour of the test's chaotic start. The culprit? Pure and simple server congestion. They apologized for the trouble and suggested players take a breather and try again later. However, the issues proved stubborn, lingering throughout the first half of the planned three-hour window. The situation escalated until, ultimately, the only fix was to pull the plug entirely. The Nightreign servers were taken down for maintenance for the remainder of that first test period, leaving a significant portion of the player base, particularly those in the US who had sacrificed sleep, entirely locked out.
The Player Experience: Early Birds and Empty Nests
The timing of the test added a layer of frustration for many. Starting at 3 AM PST / 6 AM EST, it demanded a serious commitment from fans. Some stayed up all night, caffeine at the ready, while others dragged themselves out of bed at an ungodly hour, all for a precious three-hour slot. When that slot was consumed by server errors and then outright cancellation, the disappointment was palpable. A few lucky souls managed to slip through the digital cracks and play during the initial half, but their journey was cut short when the servers went dark. It was a rough start, no two ways about it. For some savvy players, though, this chaos was almost expected. They'd made a calculated bet to wait for a later session, figuring the first one would be, in their words, "a total zoo." Looks like they saved themselves a major headache.
The Call for a Make-Up Session and Looking Ahead
In the wake of the rocky start, the community's voice grew loud with a reasonable request: an extension or an additional test session to make up for the lost time. This isn't without precedent in the gaming world; other studios have extended beta periods when technical issues arise. FromSoftware acknowledged these pleas, stating via their social channels that they were "considering an additional test session." While no official decision or date was announced at the time, this glimmer of hope kept spirits from completely hollowing. The developer's proactive, if drastic, decision to take the servers down was ultimately the right call. It provided crucial time to troubleshoot and fortify the infrastructure, aiming to ensure that future tests—and Nightreign's full release scheduled for May 30, 2025—would have a much smoother ride.
A Collection of Nightreign's Visual Promise
Despite the online troubles, the network test promised a look at the stunning and foreboding world awaiting players. The visuals teased a landscape ripe for exploration and peril.
Final Thoughts and Future Hopes
The initial stumble of the Elden Ring Nightreign network test served as a stark reminder of the challenges that come with massive, player-hungry online events. Yet, it also highlighted a dedicated community and a developer willing to communicate and act quickly, even if the action was disruptive. The incident became a shared story of anticipation, frustration, and cautious optimism within the Soulslike community. As players look back from 2026, that first test is remembered not just for its failures, but as the first real, turbulent step into a new FromSoftware adventure. The hope, of course, is that the lessons learned there paved the way for the subsequent successful tests and the stable launch of the game itself. Here's hoping the journey through the Nightreign was less about server queues and more about the epic challenges within the game world.