As 2026 unfolds, the legacy of Elden Ring continues to cast a long shadow, and the excitement for FromSoftware's upcoming expansion, Elden Ring Nightreign, remains palpable. For millions of Tarnished, this new chapter is not just another game; it's a pilgrimage back to the Lands Between, promising fresh mysteries and untold suffering. While the full release is the ultimate goal, the developer offered a tantalizing preview in the form of a limited Network Test, scheduled for February. Yet, as with any coveted treasure in a FromSoftware world, a shadowy market emerged almost instantly, threatening to tarnish the experience before it even began.
The Coveted Invitation
FromSoftware, in a move that both thrilled and tormented the community, announced a Network Test for Elden Ring Nightreign. This was a chance for a select few to venture into the new content early, stress-test the servers, and provide invaluable feedback. The process was straightforward: hopeful players registered, and confirmation emails were sent out to the chosen ones. But what happens when demand vastly outstrips a strictly limited supply? The answer, unfortunately, was predictable. The invitation became a digital artifact of immense desire, and where there is desire, opportunists are never far behind.
The Shadow Market Emerges
Almost as soon as the first confirmation emails landed in inboxes, a curious and frustrating phenomenon appeared on online marketplaces. Despite testers not even having the actual access codes in hand yet—only confirmations of their selection—listings for these promised codes began to surface. The primary stage for this new gray market? eBay.
Several listings popped up, each using a screenshot of the official confirmation email as their featured image. The audacity was matched only by the asking prices. Consider this snapshot of the early listings:
| Listing Description | Asking Price (Approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| "Elden Ring Nightreign Network Test Code - CONFIRMED" | Starting Bid: £30 / Buy Now: Hundreds of £ | A "modest" entry by scalper standards. |
| "RARE Elden Ring DLC Beta Access Code" | Buy Now: $210 USD | A bold, direct cash grab. |
| Various others | Ranging from $50 to $150+ | Prices fluctuating with perceived scarcity. |
Was this a widespread plague? Thankfully, no. Only a handful of such listings were easily spotted, suggesting that most of the community honored the spirit of the test. But the very existence of these listings raised serious questions and red flags. Could these sellers even be trusted? They were selling a promise—a screenshot of an email—with no guarantee the final code would be delivered. For any eager fan, the temptation was real, but so were the risks.
A Stern Warning to the Tarnished
To any fan feeling the desperate itch to secure access at any cost, the message must be clear: do not buy these codes. The reasons are numerous and compelling:
-
🚫 No Guarantees: There is zero assurance the seller will provide a working code. You might be paying hundreds for a fraudulent screenshot.
-
⏳ Patience is a Virtue: The full Elden Ring Nightreign experience launched in 2025. By 2026, it's been out for nearly a year! The Network Test was merely a fleeting glimpse. The complete, polished adventure is already available.
-
🤝 Community Integrity: Purchasing from scalpers undermines the fair system FromSoftware set up and rewards exploitative behavior.
Remember the hardships endured in the base game? The countless deaths to Malenia, the labyrinthine secrets of the Eternal Cities? If you persevered through that, waiting out a scalper's scam should be a trivial challenge. The true victory lies in experiencing the content as intended, not in succumbing to a hollow transaction.
Reflecting on the Hype Cycle
This small scandal surrounding the Nightreign Network Test codes is a microcosm of modern game releases. It highlights the intense, sometimes toxic, fervor that surrounds major titles. FromSoftware's experiments, while brilliant, often become lightning rods for both genuine passion and unfortunate exploitation. Yet, looking back from 2026, the episode feels like a minor footnote. The game itself has been dissected, celebrated, and has taken its place in gaming history. The frantic scramble for test codes is now a curious anecdote from the road to release.
So, what was the real value of that Network Test? It was a community event, a shared secret among a few thousand players. Its true worth wasn't in a resalable code, but in the collective anticipation and the early whispers of discovery that echoed through the community. For those who missed it, the full, rich tapestry of Elden Ring Nightreign awaited—and still awaits—offering far more than any limited test ever could. The lesson, as always in the Lands Between, is that the greatest rewards come not from shortcuts, but from the journey itself.