Nintendo has announced a closed The Duskbloods network test for Nintendo Switch 2, giving selected players an opportunity to try the multiplayer title ahead of launch. Applications will open on July 22 and remain available until July 28.
The network test is scheduled to run across five sessions between August 21 and August 24. Nintendo said the test is designed to evaluate the game’s online infrastructure, multiplayer functionality and overall balance using a pre-release version of the game.
According to Nintendo, the application period begins on July 22 at 7:00 a.m. PDT and ends on July 28 at 6:59 a.m. PDT. Successful applicants will be notified on August 7 at 6:00 a.m. PDT, while download codes will become available from August 18 at 6:00 a.m. PDT.
The scheduled test sessions are:
- August 21, 3:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. PDT
- August 21, 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. PDT
- August 22, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. PDT
- August 23, 3:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. PDT
- August 23, 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. PDT
Nintendo said the The Duskbloods network test supports multiplayer matches with up to eight players. The primary goals are to stress-test the game servers, identify issues across different network environments, and gather gameplay data to help balance the game ahead of release.
To apply, players must own a Nintendo Switch 2 system, have an active Nintendo Switch Online membership, and sign in with a Nintendo Account. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis while participant slots remain available.
Nintendo also confirmed that players will not be permitted to capture, stream or share gameplay footage from the test. The Nintendo Switch 2 Capture Button will be disabled, and participants are asked not to post videos or screenshots of the in-development build. The company added that the test is not a demo and warned that players should expect bugs and differences from the final release version.
