Elden Ring Nightreign Ditching Popular FromSoftware Feature

Summary

• Unlike its predecessor, Elden Ring Nightreign will not feature an in-game messaging system.
• FromSoftware cites a lack of time for players to read and write messages in Nightreign's faster-paced gameplay as the reason for this omission.
• Nightreign will retain and enhance other asynchronous features from Elden Ring.

Elden Ring Nightreign will not include the player message system, a key feature of previous FromSoftware titles, according to a senior FromSoftware official. This decision is attributed to practical considerations.

The ability to leave asynchronous messages has been a hallmark of FromSoftware games, fostering community interaction and engagement. However, this feature will be absent in Elden Ring Nightreign. Game director Junya Ishizaki, in a January 3rd interview with IGN Japan, explained that the game's multiplayer-focused design and shorter play sessions wouldn't accommodate the messaging system effectively. The fast-paced nature of Nightreign means players won't have sufficient time to interact with written messages.

Nightreign Retains Other Asynchronous Features

Unlike the potentially hours-long gameplay sessions of Elden Ring, Nightreign is designed for shorter, approximately 40-minute play sessions. This more intense, streamlined experience led to the removal of the messaging system.

This doesn't mean all asynchronous elements are gone. The bloodstain mechanic returns, enhanced to allow players to observe and even loot the ghosts of fallen players.

FromSoftware Aims for a "Compressed" RPG Experience

The removal of the messaging system aligns with FromSoftware's vision for Nightreign: a more intense, multiplayer-focused experience than its predecessor. The game's three-day structure also contributes to this goal. Ishizaki described the aim as creating "a compressed RPG" with high variety and minimal downtime.

Elden Ring Nightreign, revealed at TGA 2024, is targeting a 2025 release, though a precise date remains unannounced.