Bandai Namco is advancing its co-op roguelike spinoff, Elden Ring: Nightreign, with a forthcoming network test exclusive to console gamers. This move highlights the company’s strategic focus on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S platforms, potentially shaping the game’s initial user experience. With anticipation building among console owners, the test aims to fine-tune multiplayer aspects before the official release.
Previously, PC gaming has been recognized for its dominance over consoles in terms of hardware flexibility and gaming library. However, Bandai Namco’s decision to exclude PC players from the network test suggests a shift towards consolidating console communities. This contrasts with earlier strategies where PC players were integral to multiplayer testing phases.
Why Exclude PC Players from the Network Test?
Bandai Namco might be prioritizing the optimization of Elden Ring: Nightreign for the most widely used consoles, ensuring a stable and tailored experience before expanding to PC platforms. Focusing on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S allows the developers to address specific console-related performance and connectivity issues effectively.
How to Participate in the Limited Network Test?
Interested console gamers must create a Bandai Namco account and register through the official Elden Ring: Nightreign network test website. Participants will have to sign a form upon successful registration, entering a pool of 97,923 winners. Specific session slots are available, with higher chances of selection for PS5 users compared to Xbox Series X|S owners.
What Are the Test Sessions Like?
The network test will occur over five limited sessions from February 14 to February 17, each lasting three hours. These sessions are scheduled at varied times to accommodate different time zones. Winning participants will be notified by January 30, providing them early access to the game to help identify and report potential issues.
Bandai Namco’s exclusive network test for Elden Ring: Nightreign underscores the company’s intent to refine the game within the console ecosystem before broadening its reach. This approach may lead to a more polished multiplayer experience for console users, aligning the game’s performance with platform-specific expectations. However, excluding PC players at this stage might limit early feedback diversity, potentially impacting cross-platform compatibility considerations down the line. Players on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S now have a window to influence the game’s development, emphasizing the importance of community-driven testing in modern game development.
