The Duskbloods delayed to 2027, and Switch 2 loses its big bet

The most interesting detail about seeing The Duskbloods delayed is that players have already tried it. There was a network test in August, and feedback from that test is exactly what led FromSoftware to ask for more time. The studio confirmed on October 29, on X, that the release moves from 2026 to 2027, with no date or quarter.

According to the statement, the extra time goes to final adjustments to the game's rules and the balance between characters. It sounds vague, but it makes sense for the format FromSoftware chose this time.

The Duskbloods is not a traditional Souls game.

It is an online PvPvE game for up to eight players, where players fight enemies controlled by the game and each other at the same time. Hidetaka Miyazaki, the creator of Elden Ring and Bloodborne, is directing, and Nintendo and FromSoftware share publishing duties. It remains a Switch 2 exclusive, with no sign of PS5, Xbox or PC versions.

The game was revealed in April 2025, during the Switch 2 presentation, as one of the names meant to carry the console into its second year. The target was always 2026, and until the August test there was no public sign of a delay.

In competitive games, balance is everything. A single player game with an overpowered weapon becomes a running joke and gets patched later. A multiplayer game with a broken character empties its servers within weeks. If the August test showed the game was not ready, delaying is the least risky call, even if it hurts Nintendo's calendar.

And it does hurt. Switch 2 heads into the holidays without the heavyweight release it promised its most demanding players, in a month dominated by GTA 6 on other consoles.

What we still don't know

Quite a lot, and that is what to watch. FromSoftware has not said how much of the game will change. Tuning damage numbers is one thing. Changing match rules is another, and could reshape how the game plays.

It is also unclear whether there will be another test before launch. That would be the natural step for an online game that just went through changes, and the studio said it will look for a firmer date over the coming year.

Another open question is the business model after launch. Online games usually come with seasons and paid content, and neither Nintendo nor FromSoftware has explained how The Duskbloods will sustain itself.

Finally, the size of the delay. "2027" could mean January or December. Without a quarter, any prediction is a guess.

It is worth remembering that FromSoftware rarely promises what it cannot deliver. Elden Ring also had its date moved before launch and arrived in great shape. The studio's track record is the best argument for waiting.

This is good news for anyone who played the test and felt something was off: FromSoftware listened. It is also good news for people who would rather wait for a finished game than buy one that needs patching in its first month.

For anyone who bought a Switch 2 with The Duskbloods as the main reason, it is bad news. The console still has a strong lineup from Nintendo itself, but the project that promised to bring the Souls crowd to the platform is now pushed to next year, with no deadline.