The upcoming cooperative game, Elden Ring Nightreign, will not incorporate the message system that has become a staple in FromSoftware’s Soulslike titles. Since the launch of Demon’s Souls in 2009, players have enjoyed various social features, including the ability to leave messages. These notes serve multiple purposes, from giving warnings about hidden enemies to sharing humorous quips that lighten the exploration experience.
While FromSoftware maintained this feature in Elden Ring and its Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, it has opted to exclude the asynchronous multiplayer message function in Nightreign. This decision is rooted in the unique structure of the co-op gameplay.
Insight from the Nightreign Development Team
In a recent interview with IGN Japan, Junya Ishizaki, the director of Nightreign, clarified the rationale behind this alteration. He mentioned that while players will still encounter the specters of fellow players, the functionality to post messages has been discarded due to time limitations, as each co-op session is designed to last only 40 minutes.
This decision aligns with the concept that the most effective messages are typically crafted after players have navigated an area and eradicated the threats within it. Ishizaki added that the brief session lengths are intended to offer a “condensed RPG”experience, allowing players to engage in dynamic storytelling arcs without extensive time commitment.
Players on PS5 and Xbox Series consoles will have the opportunity to experience this innovative approach firsthand during the network tests for Nightreign. The sign-up process for these sessions will commence on January 10, 2025.
As anticipation builds around these network tests, fans are eager to see how this fresh take on co-op gameplay will unfold without the traditional messaging feature.
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