Elden Ring Nightreign: No In-Game Messaging System
FromSoftware has confirmed that Elden Ring Nightreign will not feature an in-game messaging system, a hallmark of the Soulsborne series. This decision, according to game director Junya Ishizaki, is primarily due to the game's anticipated shorter play sessions of approximately 40 minutes. The fast-paced, multiplayer-focused design wouldn't allow sufficient time for players to read and write messages, impacting the overall streamlined experience FromSoftware aims for.
This omission doesn't signify a complete removal of asynchronous features. The bloodstain mechanic will return, enhanced to allow players to observe and even loot the ghosts of fallen opponents. This aligns with FromSoftware's goal of creating a "compressed RPG" – a more intense and varied experience with minimal downtime. The game's three-day structure further supports this vision.
While the asynchronous messaging system, a beloved feature generating significant player engagement in previous titles, will be absent, other community features will remain and be improved. The lack of messaging is a deliberate choice to optimize the shorter, more action-packed gameplay sessions projected for Nightreign.
Nightreign is slated for a 2025 release, as revealed during The Game Awards 2024, though a precise release date remains unannounced.
