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 anticipated shorter play sessions of approximately 40 minutes, designed for a more intense, multiplayer-focused experience, leave insufficient time for players to read and write messages.
The asynchronous messaging system, a key element of player engagement in previous titles, allowing for helpful hints, playful misdirection, or humorous observations, will be absent in Nightreign. This change aims to streamline gameplay and maintain a faster pace.
Preserving Asynchronous Features
Despite the removal of the messaging system, FromSoftware intends to retain and enhance other asynchronous features. The bloodstain mechanic will return, improved to allow players to not only witness others' deaths but also loot their fallen counterparts.
A Compressed RPG Experience
This shift aligns with FromSoftware's vision for Nightreign as a "compressed RPG," prioritizing intense, multiplayer-focused gameplay with minimal downtime. The game's three-day structure further supports this goal. The developers aim for a diverse and consistently engaging experience.
Nightreign is slated for a 2025 release, as revealed during The Game Awards 2024, though a precise release date remains unannounced.
