FromSoftware studio is preparing to launch the Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive multiplayer action game “Twilight Blood”. This is the first project after “ELDEN RING”, which Miyazaki Hidetaka himself directed again.
The developers held a presentation for the media and organized a large hour-long Q&A session with the masters. Miyazaki provides a detailed analysis of the game’s concept, unique dynamics, backstory, and role-playing system. Japanese portal 4Gamer.net Taking part in this interview, we studied their material and prepared for you a handy summary of all the main details about the future new product.
- Although the developers originally used the term “PvPvE”, Miyazaki admitted that it wasn’t entirely successful as it created a false association with action shooters, and the new project offers a completely different and unique gaming experience. The decision to make this online game wasn’t driven by a change in the studio’s global strategy, but rather came from the team’s genuine desire to do something they found exciting.
- Concept development began even before ELDEN RING NIGHTREIGN was created. The idea was approved after Miyazaki shared his idea in an informal conversation with a Nintendo representative, who immediately expressed interest in the project. The concept itself is the culmination of an idea of multiplayer interaction that the director has been nurturing since the creation of Demon’s Souls and Dark Souls but couldn’t fully implement within the framework of a single-player-focused game.
- The game’s characters are superhuman, known in the game world as “Bloodsworn,” which gives them incredible mobility, allowing them to jump high and move through the air. It is because of this high level of dynamics and freedom of movement that the developers decided to provide all characters with not only melee weapons, but also ranged weapons by default. This system ensures that players can maintain high-paced combat and effectively respond to threats in any environment, which perfectly integrates with the fast-paced action at the core of the game.
- Due to the choice of vampire aesthetics as the character’s theme, the first map shown has a Gothic-Victorian style that may remind many of the Bloodborne vibe. However, the full version of the game will not be limited to this setting, as the developers will prepare at least two more maps, whose visual style will be completely different from the starting location. According to legend, during the “Twilight Saga”, a period of decline and death for humanity, participants in the battle are summoned from different times and places. The wheel theme in the game symbolizes movement through space and time.
- The developers deliberately avoided using the word “vampire,” preferring to call these heroes “Bloodsworn” to emphasize that they are an intelligent race with a deep history, philosophy, and culture, rather than just classic monsters. When creating character designs, Miyazaki adopted his signature open-ended approach, allowing himself to stray from traditional tropes, as is the case with the highly unusual character Zoko. The director humorously admitted that his favorite archetypes – the mature young man and the hero with a hidden face – will reappear in the game, but in general there will be more visible faces in this project, and the development of their personalities and backgrounds will be as detailed as in SEKIRO or Déraciné.
- The project is designed to be enjoyed by those without exceptional skills in action games, by introducing a “virtue” system (similar to victory points in board games) that allows you to win through excellent strategy and positioning. Miyazaki admitted that he was indeed inspired by board games when creating this system, and one of the mechanics during development was even called “The Longest Path,” in honor of the game “The Settlers.” In addition to competition, the game also places a heavy emphasis on role-playing, occasional dramatic moments on the battlefield, and a passive “brand” system whose combinations can trigger unique dialogue and reveal lore about the universe.
- Even without the required multiplayer victory, players can enjoy the storyline by interacting with NPCs on the second floor of the center called “Night Manor” and collecting story fragments through item descriptions. The game has multiple ending options. The developers hope that new players will come to the game for the story and atmosphere, that their skills will improve over time, and that they themselves will want to win online matches. In the case of server tech work, the game offers a minimalist offline mode that lets you customize your character, train in the courtyard, and engage in eight-participant demo battles with bots.
- The ending of every game up to the third stage will always boil down to a direct conflict between the remaining players, as trying to remove this mechanic results in an ending that is vague and lacks a climax. Reaching the final three should already feel like a major achievement, although Miyazaki agrees that the current version of online testing doesn’t handle such a victory well. However, the full version of the game will offer the opportunity to fine-tune character builds so that in the final stages players are not engaged in PvP duels with other users, but in PvE against powerful bosses.
- The launch version of the game will feature over ten base characters, each with unique fixed weapons but allowing you to customize blood skills and special abilities (“powers”). Customization not only affects your hero’s appearance (allowing you to add masks and tattoos), but also affects the chance system for random events on the map, reflecting each warrior’s unique destiny. The entire process of customizing heroes and collecting customized elements is closely integrated into the iconic fragmented plot presentation, expanding players’ understanding of the world.
- Since the game is being developed with Nintendo support for the Nintendo Switch 2 console, it will include some small integrations with features unique to the device. Due to the large number of complex rules, the developers put a lot of emphasis on training new players, and Nintendo experts provided them with valuable help in this regard, pointing out mechanics that FromSoftware Studios mistakenly thought were obvious. The design of the map itself emphasizes strong verticality and freedom of movement, with no strict guided paths to encourage repetitive play. All future locations will be approximately the same size as in beta to maintain perfect game balance.
- To support long-term participation, a full season system of ranked matches, leaderboards and regular balance changes will be added. To ensure newcomers don’t suffer at the hands of seasoned veterans long after launch, the team plans to implement systems that allow powerful players to directly benefit newcomers by becoming valuable allies or triggers for rare events.
- As an internal project, the game actively shares technology and experience with other games such as “ELDEN RING NIGHTREIGN”. While continuing to analyze trends by playing various games himself, Miyazaki himself is addicted to the video game “Culdcept” in his free time and actively practices real mahjong.
Duskblood will be released on Nintendo Switch 2 in 2027.
