Nightreign To Be Excluded from Elden Ring

Elden Ring Nightreign: No In-Game Messaging System

FromSoftware has confirmed that Elden Ring Nightreign will not feature an in-game messaging system, a staple of the Soulsborne series. This decision, according to game director Junya Ishizaki, is purely practical. The fast-paced, multiplayer-focused design of Nightreign, anticipated to have shorter play sessions of around 40 minutes, leaves insufficient time for players to read and write messages.

The asynchronous messaging system, a hallmark of FromSoftware games, has been a key element in player interaction and engagement, fostering community and shared experiences. However, Ishizaki explains that this feature clashes with Nightreign's intended gameplay flow.

Maintaining Asynchronous Elements

While the messaging system is absent, Nightreign will retain and enhance other asynchronous features from Elden Ring. The bloodstain mechanic, for example, will return with improved functionality, allowing players to learn from and even loot the ghosts of fallen comrades.

A More Focused Experience

The omission of the messaging system aligns with FromSoftware's vision for a more intense and streamlined RPG experience in Nightreign. The game's three-day structure also contributes to this goal of creating a "compressed RPG" with high intensity and minimal downtime.

Nightreign, revealed at TGA 2024, is currently slated for a 2025 release, though a precise date is yet to be announced.