Elden Ring Nightreign’s First Network Test Plagued by Server Issues, FromSoftware Issues Apology

Elden Ring Nightreign's initial network test, currently underway, is experiencing substantial server difficulties, hindering many players' participation.

IGN staff involved in the test reported severe server problems, rendering the game inaccessible for the first hour. The issues were so widespread that FromSoftware acknowledged the server congestion and player matchmaking problems via social media, offering apologies and suggesting players try again later.

The limited availability of the Elden Ring Nightreign network test – five three-hour sessions between February 14th and 17th on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S – further compounds the issue. The current schedule is:

Elden Ring Nightreign Network Test Schedule:

• February 14: 3am-6am PT / 6am-9am ET
• February 14: 7pm-10pm PT / 10pm-1am ET
• February 15: 11am-2pm PT / 2pm-5pm ET
• February 16: 3am-6am PT / 6am-9am ET
• February 16: 7pm-10pm PT / 10pm-1am ET

Bandai Namco describes the test as a "preliminary verification test" to assess online functionality and performance. While preferable to encountering these issues at launch (May 30th, 2025), the restricted test window has understandably frustrated players who allocated time for participation.

Elden Ring Nightreign, a standalone cooperative spin-off, is set in a parallel world to the 2022 Elden Ring. The network test lets three players collaborate, battling new threats across a dynamic map, facing escalating boss challenges, and ultimately confronting the Nightlord. A three-day-and-night cycle adds another layer of strategic depth.

IGN previously previewed an early build of Elden Ring Nightreign, praising its fast-paced, action-oriented gameplay, a departure from the more deliberate exploration of the original Elden Ring. [Link to IGN's hands-on preview] and [Link to IGN's interview with the game director] offer further insights.

Elden Ring Nightreign will release on May 30th, 2025, priced at $40 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC (Steam).