Summary
- Unlike most modern Soulsbornes, Elden Ring Nightreign won't feature an in-game messaging system.
- FromSoftware has decided to exclude this signature feature in Nightreign due to the game's design not allowing players enough time to read and write messages.
- Despite this, Nightreign plans to retain and enhance some of Elden Ring's other asynchronous features.
Elden Ring Nightreign will not include the ability for players to leave messages for one another, as confirmed by a senior FromSoftware official. The decision to omit this iconic feature from Elden Ring Nightreign is described as a practical choice by the developers.
The feature of crafting messages from pre-approved words, a hallmark of FromSoftware's games, has been a key element in fostering player engagement. Whether used to guide others, mislead with promises of "hidden paths ahead," or share humorous insights, this system has been integral to the Soulsborne experience.
However, this beloved feature will not make a return in Elden Ring Nightreign. Game director Junya Ishizaki, in a January 3 interview with IGN Japan, explained that the game's focus on multiplayer and shorter play sessions made the asynchronous messaging system impractical. He noted that players of Elden Ring Nightreign would not have the time to engage with written notes.
Nightreign Isn't Ditching All of Elden Ring's Asynchronous Features
While Elden Ring sessions can last for hours, FromSoftware expects Nightreign to be played in shorter bursts, around 40 minutes each. This shift aims to create a more intense and streamlined experience, leading to the decision to remove the in-game messaging system.
Despite this, Nightreign will not abandon all of Elden Ring's asynchronous elements. Key community features, such as the bloodstain mechanic, will return with enhancements. Players will be able to view how others died and even loot their ghosts, maintaining a sense of community interaction.
FromSoft Wants Elden Ring Nightreign To Be 'Compressed'
The removal of player-to-player messaging aligns with FromSoftware's vision for Elden Ring Nightreign as a more intense and multiplayer-focused game. The game's three-day structure is part of this vision, aiming to create a "compressed RPG" with high variety and minimal downtime, as stated by Ishizaki in his IGN Japan interview.
The reveal trailer for Elden Ring Nightreign at TGA 2024 confirmed a 2025 release target, though FromSoftware and Bandai Namco have not yet specified a more precise release window.
