As Elden Ring: Nightreign prepares to launch on May 30 for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series, Xbox One, and PC, FromSoftware has confirmed that the multiplayer spin-off will support solo play and three-player co-op, but not two-player duos, at least not at launch.
Why No Duo Mode? It Was “Overlooked,” Says Director
In an interview with IGN, game director Junya Ishizaki admitted that duo play was unintentionally neglected during development.
“The simple answer is that the two-player option was simply overlooked during development, so we are very sorry for that,” Ishizaki stated.
“Our focus was on building a balanced three-player co-op multiplayer game—that was the main vision and remains the core of Nightreign.”
Despite this, Ishizaki confirmed that solo play was part of the game’s design from the outset. Players who prefer to go it alone will be able to complete runs solo, though the experience will still reflect the game’s co-op-driven structure.
“As a player myself, I understand the desire for solo experiences, so we kept that in mind from the beginning. To the extent that our systems allow, we’ve created a mode that is solo-playable.”
Duo Play Might Be Added in the Future
While Nightreign will not feature a dedicated duo option at launch, Ishizaki noted that adding two-player support is under active consideration for post-launch updates.
“By focusing our efforts on that aspect, we overlooked and neglected the duos mode, but it’s something we’re studying and considering for post-launch content as well.”
Until then, players looking to pair up will need to rely on matchmaking and wait for a third player to join, or simply venture forth solo.
Beyond the Game: Elden Ring Movie in Development
In related news, Elden Ring is expanding beyond games. A film adaptation has been officially announced, with Alex Garland (Civil War, Ex Machina) set to direct. The project is being produced by A24, known for its distinctive cinematic style. Garland, no stranger to games, also worked on the scripts for Enslaved: Odyssey to the West and DmC: Devil May Cry, hinting at a faithful, ambitious take on FromSoftware’s haunting world.