The Duskbloods, an anticipated exclusive title for the Nintendo Switch from FromSoftware, failed to appear during the recent September Nintendo Direct presentation. This absence is particularly concerning given the game's current release window, which is still slated for sometime this year. With less than four months remaining in 2024, the window for The Duskbloods' launch is rapidly closing.
Players and observers had anticipated that the presentation would provide a firm release date for the game, as well as showcase additional gameplay elements such as maps and playable characters that were not featured in its earlier closed network test. The complete omission of The Duskbloods from a Nintendo Direct focused on titles launching in winter and early next year has generated worry regarding its development status and release timeline.
Technical difficulties and server issues plagued the initial day of The Duskbloods' closed network test in August. While these problems were resolved for subsequent play sessions, allowing participants to experience the game's unique cooperative and competitive Soulsborne-style combat, the early setbacks may have necessitated additional development time. It is plausible that FromSoftware identified a need to refine the game's online multiplayer components based on feedback from the network test.
An alternative explanation for the game's absence could be Nintendo's strategy of dedicating individual "Direct" presentations to major upcoming releases. This approach has been employed for titles such as the Star Fox remake, Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave, and the upcoming The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake, with release dates often announced during these specialized showcases. A similar dedicated presentation for The Duskbloods could still occur, though its omission from the broader Nintendo Direct remains unusual.
It remains uncertain whether The Duskbloods will meet its current 2024 release target or be delayed into 2027. Interest in the game is demonstrably high, with a FromSoftware employee reportedly stating that the playtest for The Duskbloods garnered more interest than that of Elden Ring Nightreign. Despite the lack of an update on The Duskbloods, the September Nintendo Direct did feature other significant announcements, including Metroid Ravenous, a new 2D entry in the Metroid series scheduled for early next year, and Kirby and the World Beyond, an open-world Kirby game set for Spring 2027.