FromSoftware announced its newest project,The Duskbloods, at the Nintendo Direct stream for the Switch 2, and there have been many comparisons withBloodbornefor its aesthetic.The Duskbloodstakes the Victorian, Gothic look that madeBloodborneso popular and brings it into a PvPvE title that seems like it will continue FromSoftware’s recent obsession with making multiplayer games after its immense success withElden Ring.Duskbloodsalso shares console exclusivity withBloodborne, being exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2. At the same time,Bloodbornehas remained firmly in the hands of Sony and the PlayStation, which might cause an issue.
Many have already joked thatThe Duskbloodsexists because FromSoftware can’t do anything with theBloodborneIP, and many have dubbed it theclosest thing toBloodborne 2thus far, although there are some key differences to separate the two. Although both are obsessed with blood, with them having it in their names,The Duskbloodsseems to be about vampires and goes a more wacky route compared toBloodborne. It has a character in a giant metal suit doing their best Iron Man impression by flying off on a jetpack, something strange even for a FromSoftware project.
The Duskbloods Could Suffer The Same Fate As Bloodborne
Exclusivity Has Been An Issue For FromSoftware In The Past
The announcement ofThe Duskbloodswith a reveal trailer forNintendo Directtook the world by surprise, given thatFromSoftware already hadElden Ring: Nightreigncoming relatively soon, and nothing was heard of the project beforehand. It was also a surprise that FromSoftware would work with Nintendo to make an exclusive, given that the developer has stuck with PlayStation for bothDemon’s Soulsfor the PS3 andBloodbornefor the PS4. While this will entice Soulsborne fans to Switch 2, it raises some concerns about the project and has little to do with the game itself.
Bluepoint Games, also known for theShadow of the Colossusremake, created the PS5Demon’s Soulsremake.
One concern is the entry price to get the game. There are probably a lot of Soulsborne fans who don’t care about other games on the Switch 2 and just want to playThe Duskbloods,making the entry price for the game around $530 in the US, assuming thatThe Duskbloodswill matchMario Kart World’s price of $80. Another concern is what will happen to the IP after the first title if it starts off like many other FromSoftware IPs. IfThe Duskbloodsis well-received, it could suffer from exclusivity restrictions.
I Have Mixed Feelings About FromSoft’s Duskbloods Being A Switch 2 Exclusive
FromSoftware’s new Switch 2 exclusive The Duskbloods reminds me of Bloodborne’s release, but I’m not sure it will be share the same success.
It isn’t clear whether this will be a temporary exclusive, similar to something likeMonster Hunter Rise,which got a PC port later on, or whetherThe Duskbloodswill remain firmly in Nintendo’s clutches. In the latter instance,there is a chance that Nintendo will restrict FromSoftware from doing more with the IP, similar to what Sony has done withBloodborne, which has caused a lot of ire with the fans. This is assuming that FromSoftware will want to do more withThe Duskbloodsgoing forward, but that option might not be open to the studio.
Nintendo And Sony Are Protective Of Their IPs
And This Restriction Could Come To Bite FromSoftware
Sony has displayed a distinct protectiveness overBloodborne, preventing a potential sequel and an upgraded port to fans' frustration. Sony is known to be defensive of its IPs, although this defensiveness is dwarfed by Nintendo’s, especially considering that almost all the first-party IPs are still with the company. Should Nintendo and FromSoftware have any disagreement over whereThe DuskbloodsIP should go,the IP could be held hostage and left to rot, similar to the fate ofBloodborne, and this concern is amplified consideringThe DuskbloodsandBloodborne’s similarities.
The Duskbloodsseem to tradeBloodborne’s eldritch elements for Vampirism and a stronger technological side, with better guns, jetpacks, and what looks to be train stations in the trailer.
The aesthetic similarities of the two IPs are so noticeable that many have joked thatThe Duskbloodswas made because FromSoftware couldn’t get a hold ofBloodborne,and if this joke is representative of reality, FromSoftware might have to make another Victorian, Gothic IP if Nintendo holds this one hostage like Sony. With Hidetaka Miyazaki in charge ofThe Duskbloods, it is clear that FromSoftware’s legendary CEO loves this specific aesthetic for his games. He has also repeated the choice of making this type of gameexclusive for the Nintendo Switch 2, despite all the problems it had brought with it previously.
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This is an odd choice, given that Nintendo isn’t famous for its online communities, at least compared to PC, andThe Duskbloodsis anothermultiplayer venture by FromSoftware. WithElden Ring’s immense success,making another exclusive seems like a backward move compared to many other studios shifting away from exclusivity. AlthoughBloodborneis a massive name and a cult classic, its exclusivity has prevented it from having the sales ofElden RingandDark Souls 3;however, its exclusivity and annoyance with being left to gather dust is probably whyBloodborne’s name is so well known.
The Duskbloods Could Thrive With Nintendo’s Involvement
Nintendo Does Help Build Its IPs Well
Many of the concerns come from the fear that Nintendo will be like Sony when dealing with FromSoftware and how good of a fit the Switch 2 is for a multiplayer-focused Soulsborne game.Nintendo is known to help cultivate third-party games quite well, withBayonettaandJust Dancebeing good examples, and there is a good chance that Nintendo will encourage FromSoftware to do more with its IP, rather than restrict it like withBloodborne. There is hope this collaboration will be healthier than the one with Sony.
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This is also assuming thatThe Duskbloodsis the kind of IP where more can be done with it. Given its multiplayer,extraction-style gameplay loop, it feels more like a spin-off title, similar toNightreign. If it ends up being a one-and-done, Nintendo’s protective restrictiveness or enthusiastic encouragement will be irrelevant anyway. Still,Miyazaki is clearly a fan of the Victorian, Gothic aesthetic ofBloodborneandThe Duskbloods, so if he has more freedom with the game, the IP could be used more by Nintendo in the future.
Ultimately, it will depend on how wellThe Duskbloodsis received and how much of a creative muse it proves to be for Miyazaki.
Ultimately, it will depend on how wellThe Duskbloodsis received and how much of a creative muse it proves to be for Miyazaki. If it is positive in both respects and FromSoftware wishes to do more with the IP, it will test how restrictive Nintendo is compared to Sony. Sony’s vice-like grip onBloodbornehas been a source of anger for many wanting to see more done with the IP, and the hope is that FromSoftware isn’t making the same mistake twice by working with Nintendo on an exclusive for the Switch 2.
Source:Nintendo of America/YouTube
The Duskbloods
FromSoftware’s upcoming title,The Duskbloods, immerses players in a gothic, steampunk-inspired world teeming with vampiric lore and atmospheric dread. As “Duskbloods,” individuals endowed with supernatural abilities, players engage in a PvPvE experience, navigating treacherous environments and confronting formidable adversaries. The game supports up to eight players, fostering dynamic interactions and strategic alliances. Exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2,The Duskbloodsis slated for a 2026 release.
