Action RPG

Elden Ring: Nightreign Could Be Bad Omen For Future FromSoftware Titles

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For more than ten years, FromSoftware has earned a reputation for creating their unique type of grueling, story-rich third-person action games, ruling supreme in their domain.

Over time, this challenging yet gratifying type of video game has built a passionate community of players who eagerly anticipate each new release from FromSoftware.

Due to its unveiling, the initial reveal trailer of the upcoming Elden Ring spin-off, Nightreign, caused quite a stir and sparked genuine excitement across the internet during the 2024 Game Awards.

Hey there fellow gaming enthusiasts! As a dedicated fanatic of FromSoftware’s epic games, the latest trailer sent shivers down my spine with an electrifying mix of shock, exhilaration, and sheer bewilderment.

Was this another expansion pack or a full sequel? The unveiling left me and many others eagerly seeking additional details and clarification.

To clarify, Elden Ring: Nightreign represents an individual spin-off from the initial game, offering a multiplayer experience. Notably, this version features a contracting map and predefined character classes. Initially, these elements might conjure up thoughts of battle royale games such as Fortnite or PUBG, but it’s important to note that its gameplay leans more towards the PVE style of Monster Hunter.

As I delved deeper into the details of Nightreign, it sparked an increasing apprehension within me that FromSoftware could potentially overreach in their pursuit of broader commercial appeal.

Uncharted Territory

In simple terms, the initial release of Elden Ring swiftly became a sensational hit and quickly secured the position as FromSoftware’s top-selling game in their extensive and prestigious portfolio of video game creations.

By December last year, Elden Ring had already flown past the 28-million mark for total copies sold, which puts it way above any game in the Dark Souls series when stacked together as my personal gaming experience shows.

In contrast to earlier games by FromSoftware within the Soulsborne series, which were consistently highly praised and adored by gamers, Elden Ring catapulted the company’s reputation to an unprecedented level of mainstream popularity and acclaim.

In 2022, Elden Ring was widely considered as Game of the Year by numerous platforms. Remarkably, its DLC, Shadow Of The Erdtree, was also a contender for Game of the Year in 2024, although there were controversies surrounding its nomination.

Without a doubt, FromSoftware is experiencing unprecedented heights, enjoying a level of achievement never seen before, largely due to the remarkable sales and positive response to Elden Ring.

As a devoted follower, I can’t help but be intrigued by the soaring success of my beloved developer. I find myself eagerly awaiting to discover how they will channel this unprecedented fame into their future projects.

The only answer we have so far is Elden Ring: Nightreign, and that’s a little concerning.

Things Are Changing

Innovation doesn’t necessarily mean a negative change, as demonstrated repeatedly in the gaming sector. For instance, Guerilla Games transformed from being masters of First-Person Shooters (FPS) with the Killzone series to becoming experts in third-person open-world games with Horizon.

Instead of maintaining a cartoonish style like in Crash Bandicoot and Jak and Daxter, Naughty Dog chose to focus on storytelling, resulting in the critically acclaimed series Uncharted and The Last of Us.

Indeed, developers have the ability to evolve and produce astonishing content that keeps up with the times. To clarify, Nightreign isn’t nearly as groundbreaking or different from other genres as some of the earlier examples provided.

So why does a multiplayer, rogue-lite Elden Ring title feel so potentially concerning?

The question arises about how FromSoftware might adjust their approach after such a massive commercial success. Each game they produce serves as a revenue generator, but will a studio known for its commitment to single-player, hardcore action truly abandon the methodology that propelled them forward initially?

To clarify, it should be noted that Nightreign was not directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki, the renowned creator of the FromSoftware Soulsborne series. Instead, Junya Ishizaki, a designer and planner who has been part of the team since the original Dark Souls, has been at the helm.

According to Ishizaki, Nightreign seems to be a project that stems from his personal enthusiasm or dedication.

In an interview with IGN, Ishizaki stated:

Previously, our company has been recognized for creating games in the style of Soulslikes or traditional Soulslike formulas. Seeing this as a chance to break new ground, I saw it fit to explore uncharted territories and push both myself and the team to create something fresh. This would be a chance to build upon our past achievements while venturing into unexplored territory with our latest project.

It’s plausible that the upcoming projects from FromSoftware may continue in their traditional style of gameplay rather than focusing heavily on quick, multiplayer sessions with repetitive tasks.

It might be that the next games from FromSoftware will stick to what they’re known for instead of making lots of short, multiplayer games where you do similar things over and over again.

Despite potential resistance, it’s clear that money holds significant influence. If FromSoftware finds they could earn greater revenues from titles with a broader, online focus, will the allure of such profits prove irresistible?

FromSoftware is firm in stating that Nightreign isn’t a live-service game, yet it’s undeniable that they are venturing into a gameplay style unprecedented for them. There’s a strong possibility they could master this innovative approach, blending their proven excellence in single-player games with the potential longevity of an ongoing multiplayer aspect.

But is this really what we all want if this combination ultimately goes too far?

It’s worth mentioning that many production studios have managed to transition genres effectively, but creating successful multiplayer-oriented games can be especially challenging.

Despite Shuhei Yoshida’s claim that it was “great,” Naughty Dog dedicated a significant amount of effort and resources to the multiplayer aspect of the cancelled The Last Of Us: Part 2, which no longer exists.

For quite some time now, Guerilla Games has been considering a multiplayer-oriented addition to the Horizon series. However, development on this project has been ongoing since 2018, suggesting that the team may be encountering internal difficulties as they strive to transform their cherished intellectual property into a viable and valuable product.

It’s possible that FromSoftware might find the solution for transforming a cherished standalone game into an engaging multiplayer version, but achieving this feat is no easy task and may not result in the familiar experiences their followers adore.

The Nightreign Network Test

Initially, players got a taste of Nightreign during a trial run over the Valentine’s Day weekend, and the general feedback was mostly positive but guarded.

Undeniably, Nightreign sets itself apart as a unique experience unlike any other title FromSoftware has previously developed.

In this game, certain skills and powers have cool-down periods. The action unfolds over a three-day cycle, approximately lasting 40 minutes per day, with the game map gradually shrinking throughout. At random intervals, bosses may suddenly appear to challenge you and your fellow players.

In this game, there are eight predefined categories (with only four used during testing), where characters move faster and perform more spectacular actions compared to their original versions due to speedier running and extraordinary special skills reminiscent of superheroes. At the beginning of each session, players join by descending from a bird’s perspective.

On paper, none of this is bad for a video game, but it is all weird for FromSoftware.

Even if Nightreign doesn’t lose its massive fan base and brings even greater financial stability to FromSoftware, I’d rejoice at their continued prosperity. However, my apprehensions about them potentially moving towards a more multiplayer, live-service oriented product in the future would only intensify.

Fortunately, the game doesn’t resemble a traditional battle-royale as its initial appearance might suggest, but it does incorporate some elements from the genre and blends them with an unusual multiplayer encounter reminiscent of Monster Hunter, which is quite unexpected coming from this specific development team.

Despite the fact that Nightreign proves entertaining and receives widespread approval, can we, as dedicated fans, be comfortable with the concept that a widely-played multiplayer mode might gradually become integrated into future titles from FromSoftware?

What The Future Holds

There hasn’t been any spilled details about what FromSoftware is working on following the release of Elden Ring: Nightreign on May 30th this year. However, it seems unlikely that Nightreign’s reception won’t have some impact at all on their upcoming projects.

Despite my joy over FromSoftware reaching more gamers and solidifying their status as an elite developer, I find myself pondering if they might one day abandon the loyal fanbase who helped them achieve success in pursuit of new opportunities.

Sony is actively pursuing the development of numerous popular multiplayer games to expand their collection. Recently, they boosted their ownership in FromSoftware’s corporate entity, aiming to assist in the publication and widespread distribution of future titles from this company.

Reducing or delaying the launch of multiple live-service games, such as “Concord”, might have made Sony reconsider their multiplayer ambitions, and it’s said that they’ve scaled back their plan for live-service game releases from twelve to six. However, this type of gaming sector is undoubtedly one where PlayStation aims to maintain a significant presence.

As FromSoftware delves into creating true multiplayer spin-offs for the first time, it makes sense that they are strengthening their relationship with Sony, who aims to enter the live-service gaming market.

Should the team persist in developing games centered around multiplayer, more chance-based, and less personalized, roguelike gameplay, it could potentially create a world where FromSoftware risks estranging a significant number of long-standing fans who prefer their traditional gaming styles.

As a devoted fan, I’ve always been open to the creative evolution of FromSoftware. If they decide to venture into more mainstream-leaning styles and gameplay, it’s something we might need to embrace. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean we won’t feel a pang of disappointment if their future works deviate significantly from their past masterpieces.

As the sun sets, Elden Ring: Nightreign should be seen as merely one offshoot and not an immediate reason for FromSoftware to worry that they are veering too far from their core focus towards pursuing success and relevance. However, much like Margit, there’s a chance that Nightreign could be a harbinger of changes to come in the days ahead.

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2025-02-25 20:10

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