FromSoftware Apologizes After Elden Ring Nightreign Was Inaccessible During The Playtest
Elden Ring Nighreign ran into a major issue during its first network test, with many players unable to access the game at all. Announced back in December, Elden Ring fans were recently given the opportunity to sign up for a Nightreign network test, during which they'd be able to access a limited version of the game early. The first session began in the early morning hours of February 14, but many players found themselves completely unable to log onto the game's servers.
Developer FromSoftware explained the problem in a post on its Player Support X (formerly Twitter) account, claiming that Elden Ring Nightreign's server issues were caused by congestion. FromSoft apologized for the inconvenience caused, and suggested players take a break and try logging in again later.
The Elden Ring Nightreign Network Test Is Off To A Rocky Start
Congestion Issues & Server Maintenance Leave Players In The Dark
But the issue persisted throughout the first half of the network test, and shortly after, the Nightreign servers went down for maintenance, whic lasted the rest of the test period. The initial announcement was released just a half hour after the network test began, and, an hour later, the official Elden Ring account announced that the servers had been taken down.
This means some players, especially those in the US, were entirely unable to access the Nightreign network test during its first testing session. The network test began at 3 AM PST, 6 AM Eastern, which means many players either stayed up all night or woke up obscenely early to play. Each network test is strictly limited to a three-hour period, so many players doubtless gave up and went to bed after being unable to access it in the first half of the network test. Others were able to play for the first half, but lost access when the servers went down.
Elden Ring Nightreign will be holding several playtests at more social hours for US fans this weekend, including from 7 PM to 10 PM PST (10 PM to 1 AM EST) on Friday and Sunday, and 11 AM to 2 PM (2 PM to 5 PM) on Saturday.
FromSoftware Has Apologized For The Elden Ring Nightreign Server Issues
Considering An Extension
To its credit, FromSoft was quick to address the issue. Rather than let the network problems fester without a word, it posted its first Tweet less than a half hour into the network test. While many were doubtless disappointed by its decision to take the servers down early instead of letting the few fans who did get in play the test period out, it was the right thing to do. It gives the developers more time to correct the problem, and gives future network tests - and Nightreign's eventual release - a much better chance of running smoothly.
Some players have called for an extension to Elden Ring Nightreign's network test period, to accommodate those who missed out on the first session. It's not unprecedented; when a poorly-timed PSN outage interrupted the Monster Hunter Wilds beta, Capcom expanded the second open beta by 24 hours. FromSoft has announced, via X, that it's considering an additional test session, but has yet to make an official decision or announce a date.
Honestly, it's exciting to be among the first few people to play such a hotly anticipated game, but I knew the first network test wasn't for me. These kinds of issues are all too common with early betas, and the first session is almost always the most congested. I did get my code, but I decided a long time ago that I'd wait until Saturday afternoon to play - and it looks like I saved myself quite a headache. Here's hoping the other Elden Ring Nightreign test periods aren't so challenging.
Sources: FromSoftware Player Support/X, Elden Ring/X
Elden Ring Nightreign
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