Elden Ring: Nightreign is officially out on May 30, 2025. At the same time, game director Junya Ishizaki made a statement that anticipates criticism from fans. He acknowledged a development error that many players may notice in their first few games.
The game was designed for three players, not two
From the start, Elden Ring: Nightreign focused on a cooperative experience. Specifically, the game was designed specifically for three players simultaneously. The mechanics, the difficulty, and the combat are all based on this structure. Although the game also includes a single-player mode, trio multiplayer forms the core of the gameplay itself.
But if you want to play with two players, it's not possible. Why? Because of a simple oversight, at least that's what the director of FromSoftware revealed to the public. In an interview with IGN, Junya Ishizaki himself confirmed that the two-player mode was simply neglected during development.
We designed the game for three players. The duo mode, however, was left out. This was a mistake on our part and we are sorry.
The studio apologizes
The studio director offered a sincere apology, explaining that the studio focused on three-player gameplay. Naturally, this statement surprised some of the community. In fact, many were hoping to be able to play with two players, as is often the case in action-RPG games. And especially in titles where the difficulty calls for cooperation.
The good news is that FromSoftware is considering adding this duo mode in a post-launch update.
We are exploring the possibility of introducing a duo mode after release. Nothing has been decided yet, but we are listening to players.
Despite its multiplayer orientation, single-player remains a natural component of Nightreign. Moreover, the studio has taken several measures to adapt the game to a solo experience:
- Enemies are less aggressive towards a single player.
- Parameters are automatically adjusted according to the number of participants.
- An automatic revive function is available to give a second chance.
Why is this error important?
The absence of a duo mode may seem minor. However, it reveals a flaw in the initial design. The fact is that many players prefer to play in pairs. Furthermore, it's often a perfect balance between mutual support and immersion.
Not including this option at launch could therefore limit a portion of the player base.
The question remains whether this gesture of transparency will strengthen fan confidence or only irritate them even more?
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