In a statement on X, the studio said it saw "active interest in the core concepts of the game, including combat, strategic depth, and player expression" during the network test, and would use the extra time for "final adjustments to game rules and balancing". It also apologised to players who had been waiting.

The delay will not come as a shock to anyone following the game. FromSoftware and Nintendo had said nothing since August's playtests, and a previously suggested September launch came and went without announcement, leaving many unsure whether the vague 2026 window would be met.

Demand for the game, at least, is not in question: according to Eurogamer, more people applied for the closed network test than for Elden Ring Nightreign, notable given The Duskbloods is only coming to Switch 2. The test itself was rocky, though, with the first session cut short by major connectivity issues before later sessions ran more smoothly.