Elden Ring Nightreign: No In-Game Messages, But Other Asynchronous Features Enhanced
FromSoftware has confirmed a significant departure from the traditional Soulsborne formula for its upcoming title, Elden Ring Nightreign. The game will notably lack the in-game messaging system, a staple feature of previous installments.
This decision, according to game director Junya Ishizaki (in a January 3rd interview with IGN Japan), is purely pragmatic. Nightreign's fast-paced, multiplayer-focused design, with anticipated play sessions around 40 minutes long, leaves insufficient time for players to engage with the asynchronous messaging system. While this system has been a cornerstone of community interaction in previous games—used for helpful hints, playful misdirection, and shared humor—it's deemed incompatible with Nightreign's intended intensity.
However, this doesn't mean the end of all asynchronous gameplay elements. FromSoftware intends to enhance existing features. The bloodstain mechanic, for instance, will return, offering players even more information about their fellow players' deaths and the opportunity to loot their spectral remains.
A More Focused, Intense Experience
The omission of the messaging system aligns with FromSoftware's overall vision for a "compressed RPG." The three-day game structure reflects this goal of delivering a consistently intense experience with minimal downtime and maximum variety.
While the game's The Game Awards 2024 trailer announced a 2025 release, a precise launch date remains unconfirmed. FromSoftware and Bandai Namco are yet to provide further details on the release window.
