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 in-game messaging system found in its predecessors. This decision, according to game director Junya Ishizaki, is a practical one. 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 games, has been a key element in fostering player interaction and community engagement. However, Ishizaki believes that maintaining this feature would detract from the streamlined, intense experience Nightreign aims to deliver.

While the messaging system is absent, other asynchronous elements are returning, and even improved. The bloodstain mechanic will be enhanced, enabling players to not only observe how others perished but also to loot their spectral remains. This aligns with FromSoftware's goal of creating a "compressed RPG" – a more focused and intense experience with minimal downtime. The game's three-day structure also contributes to this design philosophy.

Elden Ring Nightreign is slated for a 2025 release, as revealed during The Game Awards 2024, though a precise launch date remains unannounced.