Elden Ring: Nightreign's Absence Breaks with FromSoftware's Past

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

FromSoftware has confirmed that Elden Ring Nightreign will not feature 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, anticipated to have shorter play sessions of approximately 40 minutes, leaves insufficient time for players to engage with the messaging system.

The asynchronous messaging system, a hallmark of FromSoftware titles, allows players to leave messages for one another, offering assistance, misdirection, or humorous commentary. While a highly successful feature fostering community engagement in previous games, its inclusion in Nightreign's shorter, more intense gameplay loops was deemed unsuitable.

However, this doesn't mean all asynchronous elements are absent. Nightreign will retain and enhance features like the bloodstain mechanic, allowing players to learn from and even loot the ghosts of fallen comrades. This aligns with FromSoftware's vision for a "compressed RPG" experience, prioritizing intense gameplay and minimizing downtime, a design choice reflected in the game's planned three-day structure.

The goal, as Ishizaki stated, is a highly varied, consistently engaging experience without lengthy pauses. While a 2025 release is targeted, a precise launch window for Elden Ring Nightreign, revealed at TGA 2024, remains unannounced.