Elden Ring Nightreign Ditching Popular FromSoftware Feature

Elden Ring Nightreign: No In-Game Messaging System

FromSoftware has confirmed that Elden Ring Nightreign will not feature an in-game messaging system, a staple of the Soulsborne series. This decision, according to game director Junya Ishizaki, is purely practical. The fast-paced, multiplayer-focused design of Nightreign, with anticipated play sessions of around 40 minutes, leaves insufficient time for players to read and write messages.

The asynchronous messaging system, a hallmark of FromSoftware games, has fostered significant player engagement. However, Ishizaki explained to IGN Japan that this feature wouldn't fit Nightreign's streamlined, intense gameplay experience.

Preserving Asynchronous Elements

While the messaging system is absent, Nightreign will retain and enhance other asynchronous features. The bloodstain mechanic, for example, will return, allowing players to learn from others' deaths and even loot their ghosts. This reinforces the game's focus on a compressed, high-intensity RPG experience.

A Compressed RPG Experience

FromSoftware aims to create a "compressed RPG" in Nightreign, characterized by consistent intensity and a strong multiplayer focus. The game's three-day structure reflects this ambition, minimizing downtime and maximizing variety. This design philosophy underpins the decision to remove the messaging system.

Nightreign's release is targeted for 2025, as revealed at TGA 2024, although a precise release date remains unannounced.