Elden Ring Nightreign Ditching Popular FromSoftware Feature

Elden Ring Nightreign: No In-Game Messaging, But Other Asynchronous Features Remain

FromSoftware has confirmed that Elden Ring Nightreign will not include the series' signature in-game messaging system. This decision, according to game director Junya Ishizaki in a recent IGN Japan interview, is purely practical. The fast-paced, multiplayer-focused design of Nightreign, with anticipated play sessions around 40 minutes long, leaves insufficient time for players to engage with the messaging system.

The asynchronous messaging system, a hallmark of FromSoftware titles, has fostered significant player engagement. However, Ishizaki explained that its inclusion would clash with Nightreign's intended streamlined and intense gameplay experience.

While the messaging system is absent, other asynchronous features will return, enhanced. The bloodstain mechanic, for instance, will be even more robust, allowing players to observe and even loot the ghosts of fallen comrades. This aligns with FromSoftware's goal of creating a "compressed RPG" – a more intense and varied experience with minimal downtime. This ambition also explains the game's three-day structure.

The game's 2025 release window was confirmed at TGA 2024, though a precise date remains unannounced.