Geoff Keighley has promised a record-breaking number of publishers at Summer Game Fest this year, so we’ve rounded up what we think we’ll be playing in the coming monthsTech23:00, 05 Jun 2025We're so ready to step into Samus' boots againE3 might be long gone, but Summer Game Fest has replaced it. While Nintendo Switch 2 has just launched, and Sony has held its own State of Play event, tonight’s show is about as unpredictable as you can get. So, naturally, we’re trying to predict what we’ll be seeing.With everyone from PlayStation to SEGA, Xbox and even Nintendo making an appearance, we’re expecting big things from the showcase, which will be packed with titles for 2025 and beyond.‌While some are known quantities, like Borderlands 4, Little Nightmares 3, and the upcoming Bond game from Hitman developer IO Interactive, we’re still expecting plenty of surprises. Here’s everything we’re predicting for Summer Game Fest 2025.‌There are plenty of big namesWith Geoff Keighley’s events in both the Summer and December being key fixtures on the gaming events calendar, he’s able to pull off plenty of surprises. The Game Awards 2023 revealed Monster Hunter Wilds, while the following year showcased the first gameplay of Slay The Spire 2 and Split Fiction, as well as Elden Ring Nightreign and Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.As for Summer Game Fest itself, the show last year featured Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 - all games which were released since then.Article continues belowWe’ve heard rumblings that Capcom’s Pragmata, revealed alongside the PS5 in June 2020, could be shown at the event following an indefinite delay in 2023. It’s just as well, since we have no idea what the game really is yet.We’re also very curious about what Nintendo could show. The Switch 2 is out, but only as of yesterday, so we’d expect a sizzle reel to show what the console is capable of, as well as another look at Donkey Kong Bananza.‌PlayStation is probably easier to predict since the company is launching Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding 2: On The Beach in just a few short weeks, and Geoff Keighley will likely find some way of getting the man himself on stage.SEGA has plenty to show, too. Sonic Racing CrossWorlds is still due this year, while the company has an ambitious plan to resurrect classic titles starting with Shinobi: Art of Vengeance and leading into Streets of Rage and Crazy Taxi.We tipped a Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 announcement for Sony’s State of Play, but we’re still waiting for more news on Kingdom Hearts 4.‌Pearl Abyss is still aiming to launch Crimson Desert this year (supposedly), but we’re without a release date as yet, while the company is also working on its colourful DokeV which has been MIA for years at this point.While Microsoft is expected to appear, the company has its own showcase just two days later with a big focus on The Outer Worlds 2. As a result, we might just get a sneak peek at this year’s Call of Duty with more to come on Sunday.With Bungie’s Marathon hit by plagiarism accusations, Embark Studios has a great chance to get players onto Arc Raiders as an alternative. Speaking of Bungie, expect a gameplay trailer for Destiny 2: Edge of Fate.‌Elden Ring is coming to Switch 2(Image: FromSoftware, Inc.)Call us crazy, but we want a bunch of Switch 2 news. We want to see From Software’s Duskbloods, get a release date for Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition, and maybe even a Metroid Prime 4 release date from Nintendo itself.Given the history of Monster Hunter on portable consoles, we’ve got everything crossed for the series to come to Switch 2, but coming off of the excellent Wilds, it’s perhaps unlikely.‌Naturally, we’ve always got our fingers crossed that we’ll see Silksong, but rumours have suggested that Team Cherry’s long-awaited Hollow Knight follow-up would be announced at Microsoft’s event if at all.As we said in our State of Play predictions, we’re also expecting to hear more about Resident Evil 9 by the end of this week, in some way, shape, or form.With The Division 2 getting what’s likely its final DLC recently, here’s hoping for The Division 3, which has been rumoured for a while. Or, maybe Ubisoft will finally share something about the Splinter Cell title it has in development.Article continues belowDid we get any correct? Find out with us, with the show kicking off at 10PM BST on Friday night.For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.‌‌‌

The launch of a new console is always exciting, because new hardware means new software to play on it. For the Switch 2, Nintendo is changing tactics with the release cadence of new games, as the console will launch with just a single first-party exclusive instead of several all at once. The launch lineup will still be bolstered by third-party support, and the company has several more exclusives on the way, but these are arriving throughout the rest of 2025 and 2026.For this list, we're looking at the games you'll only find on the Switch 2 and the ones that offer new content exclusively for the system. We're skipping Switch games being upgraded for the Switch 2--like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom--or titles that'll be available on both Switch and Switch 2, like Pokemon Legends: Z-A and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.We're expecting a library of Switch 2 games that'll stand tall next to some of the best across multiple Nintendo eras, and we'll be listing every known and new release as they're revealed. Mario Kart WorldRelease date: June 5, 2025The marquee title for the Switch 2, Mario Kart World is the first mainline entry in the series since the release of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe in 2017, which was a port of 2014's Mario Kart 8 for the Wii U. Mario Kart World looks like it has the potential to push the series to new heights, as it offers colorful visuals, a stacked roster, and courses set inside of a massive open-world environment that can be freely explored.Where to buyWalmartTargetBest Buy Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome TourRelease date: June 5, 2025The Nintendo Switch 2 will be loaded with several new features, and Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour looks like a fine--and fun!--way to learn about them. The caveat here is that this tech demo has a $10 entrance fee, but if you don't mind paying for it, this will likely be a great way to explore the new features on this console. See on the Nintendo eShop Kirby Air RidersRelease date: 2025The Kirby Air Ride sequel that fans have been waiting years for, this new game is being directed by the pink blob's creator, Masahiro Sakurai. Kirby Air Ride on the GameCube was beloved for its fast-paced racing action in multiplayer sessions, and while we don't know too much about the new game yet, we're hoping to see some of that classic Kirby magic when the cute fella arrives on Switch 2. See on the Nintendo eShop Donkey Kong BananzaRelease date: July 17, 2025The next Donkey Kong adventure combines traditional platforming fun with destruction, as Nintendo's favorite ape will be able to smash his way through various environment. You'll be able to tear off chunks of terrain to hurl at enemies and punch your way into subterranean worlds to uncover secrets lurking beneath the surface.Where to buyWalmartTargetGameStop Fast FusionRelease date: June 5We haven't seen a brand-new F-Zero game in many years, but Fast Fusion might just be the next best thing. A very fast anti-gravity racing game that looks like it was also inspired by Wipeout, Fast Fusion is the fourth game in the Fast series and a sequel to 2017's Fast RMX. See on the Nintendo eShop Hyrule Warriors: Age of ImprisonmentRelease date: 2025This isn't the first time that Koei Tecmo and Nintendo have teamed up, and like its previous effort, you can expect this game to combine the world and characters of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom with the gameplay of Dynasty Warriors. Narratively, Age of Imprisonment serves as a prequel to Tears of the Kingdom as it focuses on the "Imprisoning War" that set the stage for that game. See on the Nintendo eShop Survival KidsRelease date: June 5, 2025The original Survival Kids game was released all the way back in 1999, and while it wasn't a smash-hit, critics at the time did praise it for its clever blend of ideas inspired by the likes of Pokemon and The Legend of Zelda. The sequel once again follows a group of kids stranded on an island and forced to fend for themselves, but this time, the focus is on co-op gameplay, puzzle-solving, and crafting. See on the Nintendo eShop Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD RemasterRelease date: June 5First released on the Nintendo 3DS, Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster on Switch 2 will feature some nifty upgrades on that system. The remaster has improved graphics, but in terms of content, this version also offers a redesigned user interface, the ability to fast-forward through certain scenes, quality-of-life upgrades, and two types of mouse-controlled minigames.Where to buyWalmartBest BuyGameStopTarget Yakuza 0: Director's CutRelease date: June 5Considered to be the best game in the Yakuza series, Yakuza 0: Director's Cut is a two-fisted tour through Tokyo that tells a hard-hitting story. For its Switch 2 release, the game is being updated with new cutscenes designed to give deeper insight into key incidents and character backstories, an English dub has been added, and there's a new online mode called Red Light Raid. For now, it looks like Yakuza 0: Director's Cut has only been confirmed for Switch 2, but we wouldn't be surprised if it makes the leap to other platforms after a period of timed exclusivity.Where to buyAmazonWalmart Super Mario Party Jamboree + Jamboree TV: Switch 2 EditionRelease date: July 24While the game did launch for in October 2024, Super Mario Party Jamboree + Jamboree TV: Switch 2 Edition will offer more than just improved graphics and frame rates. This new edition is packed with new modes and minigames, making this the ultimate version of the party game.Where to buyWalmartTargetGameStop Release date: August 28In case you missed it when it first came out on Switch, Kirby and the Forgotten Land was a terrific adventure starring the adorable Nintendo icon. On Switch 2, the game is getting a graphical upgrade and exclusive adventure called Star-Crossed World and all-new Mouthful Modes to wield in battle.Where to buyWalmartTargetGameStop Drag x DriveRelease date: Summer 2025If there's going to be a showcase game for the Switch 2's new Joy-Con 2 mouse controls, it might just be Drag x Drive. Details on it are slim for now, but from what we've seen so far, Drag x Drive will let you put your hoop-shooting skills to the test while you race around the arena in a wheelchair. The catch here is that the game makes heavy use of the Switch 2's mouse controls to move around and score points. See on the Nintendo eShop The DuskbloodsRelease date: 2026With Elden Ring Nightreign proving to be an enjoyable showcase of souls-like multiplayer, we're excited to see what From Software has in store for Switch 2 players when The Duskbloods eventually hits the scene. The studio has shared more details on the game since it was first revealed, like how players can choose from a cast of "over a dozen" characters that can be customized, the setting for the game, and how progression works. Interestingly, The Duskbloods was originally pitched for the Switch, but plans changed after Nintendo spoke to developer From Software about the Switch 2 console. See on the Nintendo eShop

What we've been playing - co-op adventures and unfolding ideas A few of the things that have us hooked this week. Image credit: FromSoftware Feature by Robert Purchese Associate Editor Additional contributions by Christian Donlan, and Ed Nightingale Published on May 31, 2025 31st May Hello and welcome back to our regular feature where we write a little bit about some of the games we've been playing. This week Bertie has mixed feelings about Split Fiction, Ed discovers he really likes Elden Ring Nightreign but wants more from it after the campaign, and Donlan appreciates a game unfolding before him. What have you been playing? Catch up with the older editions of this column in our What We've Been Playing archive. Split Fiction, PS5 Split Fiction. I'd quite like to read a dual-perspective fantasy and sci-fi story, actually. Wait, did I just describe Star Wars?Watch on YouTube I've been eager to try this for a while. I was fond of It Takes Two and the reception around Split Fiction has been enormously enthusiastic. Also, I love that there's a studio like Hazelight dedicating itself to making co-op games - not just games that can be played in co-op but games that require it. It's weird that it should be an unusual thing these days, but it is and I'm totally here for it. I like it - I like the game. In parts, I love it, and I think I'd expected this reaction more. The parts I love: its fluidity. This is a colder, technical thing to praise, but it makes the game so invitingly touchable and toylike because of the way it responds and moves. Big tick. Two: the set-up for the game works superbly in that having two writers' stolen stories to choose from, Hazelight gives itself a potentially bottomless source of ideas to hop between without lingering in one for too long. It's perfectly fine for one world to contain only one idea, which many of them do. And who doesn't want to play on a level where you surf around on a sand shark? But what I struggle with also relates to this. There's a thinness, sometimes, to the game; a feeling that ideas are cycled through so quickly they're not given enough time - or developer investment - to breathe or be developed as fully as they could. You kind of skim through them and it can lead to repetitiveness as the game bumps back into ideas it's already used, or a sense of pointlessness as it scrambles to come up with ideas it hasn't used before. Look, overall, brilliant: it's a joyous collection of co-op ideas delivered with tip-top technical nous, and not a small amount of charm and style. But I'm waiting for it - and really willing it - to take off. -Bertie Elden Ring Nightreign, PS5 All aboard the Souls train!Watch on YouTube I've been having a very Soulsy time of it recently. Last week I wrote about how Sekiro was causing me existential fury, and I'm pleased to say I broke through that to finally beat the game and see the credits, and that I don't have to play it any more. In its place, I've been playing another tricky game: FromSoftware's new Elden Ring spin-off Nightreign. Go it alone and it's one of the studio's most challenging games; but with others it's an exhilarating experience, as I wrote in our review. And despite finishing the game for the review, I still want to carry on playing it. I still haven't mastered each of the eight Nightfarers and I'm keen to play it more with friends now it's officially been released. But I do feel the game has finite appeal. Once the Nightfarers are beaten and all the character stories have been completed, Nightreign - as much as I loved it - doesn't have the replayability other multiplayer games do. Yet what FromSoftware has created is so heavily structured, it could easily add more building blocks to extend the game. There's DLC on the way at least but there's potential for a full live-service game of seasonal events on its map, with additional bosses and characters and costumes. It doesn't have to be a free-to-play, microtransaction mess, but just give it some regular support. Nightreign is something I'd happily play for months if it was regularly refreshed. Of course, this would likely be at the expense of whatever big new single-player game Miyazaki is working towards, and there's still The Duskbloods coming to Switch 2 next year to satisfy any lingering multiplayer desires. At the least, I love that FromSoftware has the capability and flexibility to experiment with this sort of spin-off. It might not be to everyone's taste, but it's left me wanting more. -Ed Öoo, PC Öoo. What does that mean in ghost speak I wonder?Watch on YouTube Here's the latest game by the creator of ElecHead, that brilliant and ingenious blend of puzzling and platforming. ElecHead was all about electricity. This time it's all about bombs. At least in the current Steam demo it is. You're a caterpillar who can create bombs, and those bombs? Early on they can send you shooting upwards to catch high ledges. But maybe they can shunt you across gaps too? Uh-oh, what do you do when the walls and ceilings have spikes, and what do you do when there's a big frog blocking your path? The pleasure of a game like this is partly the sense of watching an idea unfold itself, as the designer slowly discovers all the possible consequences and wrinkles and inversions. It helps that the game looks so beautiful and dinky and strange, with those progress-blocking frogs, yes, but also walls that seem to have the folds of brain tissue. I am playing the demo very happily and I suspect I'll replay it many times before the final game is out. It's lovely to be at the start of something like this, where the ideas are new, but the contours of thought behind it all seem to be warmly familiar. -Donlan

News Elden Ring Nightreign Surpasses 2 Million Digital Sales and Worldwide Shipments The co-op rogue-like is off to a strong start less than a day after launching for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, and PC. Posted By Ravi Sinha | On 30th, May. 2025 Elden Ring Nightreign launched today for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PS4, PC, and Xbox One, and despite some mixed impressions, it’s already off to an impressive start. In a new press release, FromSoftware and Bandai Namco Entertainment announced that it’s already crossed over two million worldwide shipments and digital sales. Elden Ring comparatively sold over 12 million copies in less than three weeks, while its expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree, surpassed five million sales in its first week. While it remains to be seen how Nightreign lands in similar time frames, this is still quite impressive, especially since multiplayer-focused titles are new territory for the developer. Check out our review for more details on when Elden Ring Nightreign – we gave it an eight out of ten. Its success creates some hype for The Duskbloods, launching next year exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2. Compared to Nightreign, it’s an eight-player PvEvP environment set in a brand new dark fantasy world with vampires. Head here for more details. Tagged With: Elden Ring: Nightreign Publisher:Bandai Namco Developer:FromSoftware Platforms:PS5, Xbox Series X, PS4, Xbox One, PCView More Borderlands 4 Publisher:2K Developer:Gearbox Entertainment Platforms:PS5, Xbox Series X, PCView More Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Publisher:Sony Developer:Kojima Productions Platforms:PS5View More Amazing Articles You Might Want To Check Out! Elden Ring Nightreign Surpasses 2 Million Digital Sales and Worldwide Shipments The co-op rogue-like is off to a strong start less than a day after launching for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, P... Death Stranding 2: On the Beach – Game Premiere Event Announced for June 8th Hosted by Geoff Keighley, the live event features a special discussion panel and a live demonstration for the ... Former PlayStation Exec Warns Developers Against Relying Too Much on Subscription Services According to Yoshida, subscription services might end up causing publishers to push their developers into fewe... EA and Marvel Games Say Partnership is Still Strong Despite Black Panther Cancellation Both companies have released statements reiterating that they will continue to focus on their collaboration to... Xbox Handheld Reportedly Put on Hold, Microsoft to Focus on Improving Windows 11 Gaming Performance Earlier reports indicated that Microsoft had planned on launching a first-party Xbox handheld by 2027, but pri... Death Stranding 2: On the Beach – No Plans for Post-Launch DLC For Now Hideo Kojima also spoke about Death Stranading 2: On the Beach originally featuring more customisable hair for... View More

Elden Ring Nightreign is From’s worst-rated game in years but it is a hit on Steam Adam Starkey Published May 30, 2025 1:59pm Updated May 30, 2025 2:00pm A good team is hard to find (Bandai Namco) FromSoftware’s multiplayer Elden Ring spin-off has hit over 300,000 players on Steam, but it’s proving a divisive experience. Elden Ring Nightreign launched today around the world and while it doesn’t necessarily play to developer FromSoftware’s strengths, it has had a strong start on Steam (its success on consoles is much harder to track). As recorded on SteamDB, the co-op multiplayer spin-off has hit a concurrent player peak of 313,593 within its first day on Steam. This is significantly lower than Elden Ring’s overall peak of 953,426 players, but it’s pretty good for a lower profile and lower budget game. At the time of writing, Elden Ring Nightreign is the fifth most played game on the platform, behind Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, PUBG, and er… Bongo Cat. However, not everyone is happy with the experience so far, and it’s already become FromSoftware’s lowest rated title on Steam. As of May 30, Elden Ring Nightreign has a ‘mixed’ rating on Steam, with only 66% of 9,000+ reviews being positive. This is technically the lowest of all FromSoftware’s available PC games (if we aren’t counting the delisted Ninja Blade), although technically DLC The Ashes Of Ariandel for Dark Souls 3 is lower at 59% rating. Many of the negative reviews for Elden Ring Nightreign have highlighted the lack of voice chat, the absence of duos mode, and the minimal variety during runs as particular sore points. Nightreign isn’t hitting Elden Ring numbers, but it probably never will (SteamDB) ‘I hate to say it, but I think we’ve finally see a bit of a miss from FromSoftware,’ one user review reads. ‘One that I think is still salvageable, and really could be turned into a much more interesting game – but as it is right now, it’s got a bit more bad than good going for it.’ However, some are seeing the positives even if they do come with caveats. ‘Super fun game,’ another review reads. ‘Your enjoyment will most likely be based on your teammates and how good your communication is.’ In terms of critical response, Nightreign is currently at 77 on Metacritic, which isn’t a disaster but is well below that of any of From’s other major titles, since they hit the big time with Dark Souls in 2011. The only games to score lower are experimental VR title Déraciné and a suite of mech games, including Armored Core 5, in 2012. More Trending Speaking in an interview with IGN earlier this month, the director behind Elden Ring Nightreign, Junya Ishizaki, said they are considering adding a two-player mode post-launch, so there’s a chance some of these issues could be fixed further down the line. The big question is whether Elden Ring Nightreign will attract a dedicated player base in the coming months to make these updates worthwhile, or if it’s simply riding the popularity of Elden Ring. This multiplayer experiment, which many suspect started life as Elden Ring DLC, is perhaps also a test for FromSoftware’s next multiplayer offering: The Duskbloods. The PvPvE game is set to be released next year as a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive. Elden Ring Nightreign is a smaller release from the studio (Bandai Namco) Email gamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter, and sign-up to our newsletter. To submit Inbox letters and Reader’s Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here. For more stories like this, check our Gaming page. GameCentral Sign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

Upcoming FromSoftware Switch 2 exclusive The Duskbloods has been garnering quite a bit of attention since it was unveiled in early April of this year, and for good reason. Naturally, any new FromSoftware project is going to attract a good bit of hype, especially after Elden Ring catapulted the studio into higher levels of popularity than ever before, and the fact that it's a Nintendo exclusive makes it even more fascinating.

5 reasons why I’m not buying a Nintendo Switch 2 this year – Reader’s Feature GameCentral Published May 24, 2025 1:00am Is it better to wait? (Nintendo) A reader is convinced it’s best to wait before getting a Switch 2 and lays out five reasons why he’s going to hold back until at least next year. Nintendo’s new console is going to be out in just a few short weeks and I am excited about it, but it’s been pretty obvious to me for a while that there is no point in buying it at launch. I do like Nintendo games, and have been very happy with my current Switch, but there’s no getting away from the fact that the Switch 2 is very expensive and that makes me, and I’m sure lots of other people, very wary. I’ve come up with five good reasons why I don’t think buying it at launch is a good idea, despite all the talk of it being a big seller, and while some of them apply to most new consoles I do think there are particular concerns that are specific to the Switch 2. 1. There’s obviously going to be an OLED Model and probably quite soon. Nintendo always releases multiple versions of all their consoles, especially handhelds, and I’m sure it won’t be long till the Switch 2 Lite turns up. An OLED version is even more likely though because they had to downgrade the base model back to a LCD screen. There’s no way they’re going to stick with just that for long, and we even got a sort of confirmation for that with Samsung’s recent rumours. 2. There’s only one exclusive. If you discount Welcome Tour, which I’m certain almost everyone will except Nintendo (discount… get it?) there’s only really one properly appealing Switch 2 exclusive this year and that’s Mario Kart World. There’s also Metroid Prime 4 but that’s only a remaster and is really a Switch 1 game. I’m sorry, but that’s just not enough for me and it’s a much worse start than the Switch 1 had. Instead of Splatoon 2 and Super Mario Odyssey later in the year we’re getting… Hyrule Warriors 3 and Kirby Air Riders 3. 3. They have not proven their third party credentials. This is related to the previous point but it’s something a bit different, in that while I’ll take it for granted that Nintendo will make lots of great games for the console, I have no such faith when it comes to third party publishers. Very few third party games have been shown so far, with Microsoft and Ubisoft not announcing anything. Plus, the only big third party game – The Duskbloods by FromSoftware – is an exclusive Nintendo had to pay for. I want to see proof that third parties are going to support the Switch 2 all the time, without needing to be bribed to do it. 4. I’m worried about technical problems. I was quite upset to find out that the new Joy-Cons do not have Hall Effect sticks, as I thought that had been confirmed earlier. The fact that it hasn’t means that they could still have joystick drift and even if they didn’t there’s a whole world of other technical problems they could suffer from, that will only be discovered by early adopters. I’m still not convinced about those magnet connections, especially as there was nothing wrong with the old method, and would prefer to wait and see if it’s an issue. More Trending 5. There’re no new game ideas. If I had one complaint about the Switch 2 it’d be that it didn’t use its success to introduce much in the way of new IP. There was ARMS early on but that was about it, and it was pretty minor anyway. The Switch 2 shows no sign of being any better, as the only new franchise they’ve shown is the basketball game whose name I can’t remember but which looks like a bad indie game. I really needed to see something better than that before I hand over my money and I until I do I’ll hold my fire on getting the Switch 2. By reader Himbo Mario Kart World is the Switch 2’s big launch title (Nintendo) The reader’s features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro. You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot. Just contact us at gamecentral@metro.co.uk or use our Submit Stuff page and you won’t need to send an email. GameCentral Sign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

While FromSoftware’s next title, Elden Ring: Nightreign, is slated to be a co-op action RPG with 3-player parties, director Junya Ishizaki has said that the studio accidentally ended up neglecting players that might have preferred a 2-player experience. Speaking to IGN, Ishizaki said that Elden Ring: Nightreign has been designed and balanced around the idea of three-player parties. “The simple answer is that this is simply something that was overlooked during development as just a two-player option, so we’re very sorry about that,” said Ishizaki when asked about the lack of an option for two-player parties. “As we said before, we set out to make this a multiplayer co-op game for three players, balanced for three players, so that was the main focus and it’s at the core of Nightreign.” “Of course, I myself as a player understand that and often want times where I’m just playing myself, so this is something that we considered from the start. And so we did put a lot of effort into creating this experience that was playable for solo players in as much as the rules and new systems allowed.” Ishizaki has also said that FromSoftware is looking into bringing in an option for two-player parties to be able to play Elden Ring: Nightreign without having to use matchmaking to get partied up with a stranger. “So in putting all our efforts into that aspect, we kind of overlooked and neglected the duos aspect, but this is something that we are looking at and considering for post-launch support as well,” he said. The statements about the balance of Elden Ring: Nightreign specifically being based on the idea of 3-player parties also apply to those that might be looking into playing the game solo, according to Ishizaki. “Seeing as this game is built around three players, we understand the concerns of those solo players, but essentially a lot of the time in Nightreign you will be acting and behaving on your own,” he said. “Even in a group as three, you’ll be going off and challenging different areas of the map and collecting different things before you accumulate together at the boss fight.” Ishizaki had spoken about the fact that two-player groups would only be able to play with a random third person brought in via matchmaking back in February. “In terms of a dual queue system, there is one in place,” said Ishizaki. “You can play with, for example, your friend and another random person throughout the entire game. So there’s definitely no issue there.” At the time, Ishizaki had said that having separate modes for solo play or two-player parties wasn’t a priority for the studio at the time. “Regarding having just two players, not three players or solo, it is something we are considering, but it is currently not in the game at the moment,” he said. Elden Ring: Nightreign is coming to PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S on May 30. Along with this, FromSoftware is also working on another multiplayer title exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2 – The Duskbloods.

BY2K Membero Americo The Fallen Oct 25, 2017 5,044 Québec, Canada Ask the Developer Vol. 18: Mario Kart World — Part 1 - News - Nintendo Official Site This article has been translated from the original Japanese content. This interview was conducted before the game was released. In this 18th volume of Ask the Developer, an interview series in which developers convey in their own words Nintendo's th… www.nintendo.com - World's development started in late 2017 after ARMS was complete. - Started as a Switch 1 game before being moved to Switch 2 in 2020 after work on the Booster Course Pass for 8 Deluxe started to not compromise on the game's ambitions. - Would have been called Mario Kart 9 if the game was simply a follow-up to 8 Deluxe with new tracks. - Soundtrack uses more live instruments this time around. - The soundtracks includes 200 tracks, "all brand-new arrangements". - One day cycle is 24 minutes of in-game time. - Rail and Wall Riding was added to make driving between tracks less boring. - 100 tracks in the game if you count all the variable path between tracks. - Karts can be customized with stickers you find in Free Roam.   Last edited: Today at 9:57 AM Neoxon Spotlighting Black Excellence - Diversity Analyst Member Oct 25, 2017 93,490 Houston, TX I guess the MK9 part was before Tour became a finalized thing. Still, makes sense that such an ambitious game took so long. Also, EPD 9 specified Late 2017 for the start of development (after ARMS's DLC was finished). EDIT: Or not, Tour was released in 2018.  Last edited: Today at 9:57 AM mrmickfran The Fallen Oct 27, 2017 33,200 Gongaga The soundtracks includes 200 tracks, "all brand-new arrangements". Click to expand... Click to shrink... Music to my ears (literally)  Finiri6143 Member Mar 16, 2022 3,251 Neoxon said: I guess the MK9 part was before Tour became a finalized thing. Still, makes sense that such an ambitious game took so long. Click to expand... Click to shrink... You think it would have been call MK10 in the current climate otherwise if they stuck to the traditional game formula? I don't think so.   Bear Member Oct 25, 2017 12,305 Would not have guessed that this has been in the oven longer than GTA6 lol.   Kevers The Fallen Oct 29, 2017 15,882 Syracuse, NY 8 Years in Dev? Goddamn.   Shoichi Member Jan 10, 2018 12,476 Hopefully they allow players to change what music is selected in the jukebox, guessing it's just an automatic selection So, what did you do with the music for modes like Free Roam, where the route isn't fixed? For other modes like Free Roam, we prepared lots of music in addition to course themes and made it so the game would automatically select the right track depending on the situation. During development, we called this the "jukebox." For this, we created lots of arrangements of music composed for past Asahi:Super Mario™ and Mario Kart games. You're not only rearranging the music but also revamping the mechanism for how the music is selected and played, right? You said you created a lot of musical tracks, but how many pieces did you end up with? Altogether, over 200 for the "jukebox." These are all brand-new arrangements, and we also did live recordings. We prepared pieces from quite a wide variety of musical genres. I believe those who are well-versed in video game music, as well as those who aren't, will enjoy listening to them. Asahi: Click to expand... Click to shrink...   Bucca Banned Oct 25, 2017 5,529 Started in 2017? Christ alive they've been simmering this for a while   ned_ballad One Winged Slayer Member Oct 25, 2017 50,558 Rochester, New York lol one dev just drew a cow in a truck as a silly thing and they ended up loving it so much they added the cow as a character   NINTENDOTHEGOAT Member Mar 3, 2025 7 Can't wait easily my most anticipated game this year along with Donkey kong bananza.   Neoxon Spotlighting Black Excellence - Diversity Analyst Member Oct 25, 2017 93,490 Houston, TX Bucca said: Started in 2017? Christ alive they've been simmering this for a while Click to expand... Click to shrink... They seem to have gotten straight to work after Dr. Coyle released for ARMS.   cw_sasuke Member Oct 27, 2017 29,988 Damn, they been cooking for a while.   DNAbro Member Oct 25, 2017 30,050 Here are the full quotes So, the various courses are interconnected. Could you tell us how development for this game got started?: We were thinking about what to do for the next YabukiMario Kart game even during the development of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and we began prototyping in March 2017. It was at the end of that year when we officially started work on it as a project. I felt that in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, we were able to perfect the formula that we'd been following in the series up to that point, where players race on individual courses. That's why, this time, we wanted the gameplay to involve players driving around a large world, and we began creating a world map like this. When did you decide to move development of this game to Nintendo Switch 2? Yabuki-san first brought it up around 2020. Back then, we already had an idea of the next system's expected specs, but it wasn't until a bit later that we actually received working development units. Until then, we just had to proceed with development based on provisional estimates. Sato: This game has been in development for over 8 years which is insane. If people are wondering why we didn't get an original Mario Kart for Switch 1, we now know they tried.  ResidentDoom Member Sep 13, 2024 147 8 years seems excessive tbh It better deliver  finally Member Jul 22, 2019 1,537 $10 for each year in development   Finiri6143 Member Mar 16, 2022 3,251 ResidentDoom said: 8 years seems excessive tbh It better deliver Click to expand... Click to shrink... The chances of it not delivering is extremely low to be honest.   Mr. Lemming Member Oct 25, 2017 643 ned_ballad said: lol one dev just drew a cow in a truck as a silly thing and they ended up loving it so much they added the cow as a character Click to expand... Click to shrink... "Ishikawa: Cow is actually a pivotal character in the Mario Kart series. "  mavericktopgun Member Oct 27, 2017 5,447 Can't wait to play this damn game!!!!   Aleh Member Oct 27, 2017 20,093 Thank FUCK they didn't do another MK on Switch.   RailWays One Winged Slayer Avenger Oct 25, 2017 18,327 BY2K said: - Soundtrack uses more live instruments this time around. - The soundtracks includes 200 tracks, "all brand-new arrangements". Click to expand... Click to shrink... I know this OST is about to be peak   Lotus One Winged Slayer Member Oct 25, 2017 124,059 2017? Goddamn   Jaded Alyx Editor-in-chief at SpecialCancel.com Verified Oct 25, 2017 40,219 The Duskbloods also started dev for the Switch   JoJo'sDentCo Unshakable Resolve Member Oct 25, 2017 9,277 ResidentDoom said: 8 years seems excessive tbh It better deliver Click to expand... Click to shrink... lol it will   Stairouais One Winged Slayer Member Oct 25, 2017 3,047 France mrmickfran said: Music to my ears (literally) Click to expand... Click to shrink... Can't wait to have 15 of them on Nintendo music app  Zonic Member Oct 25, 2017 37,022 TWO HUNDRED SONGS?! If this is on par with the quality of MK8/D's soundtrack, this is gonna be OST of the year easily.  Truno Member Jan 16, 2020 5,735 ResidentDoom said: 8 years seems excessive tbh It better deliver Click to expand... Click to shrink... 8 years is not a good thing. It points to development issues  Zebesian-X Member Dec 3, 2018 25,336 8 years of development, $80. That's how that works right? Super excited, it's crazy how long they had us on MK8  Bucca Banned Oct 25, 2017 5,529 Mr. Lemming said: "Ishikawa: Cow is actually a pivotal character in the Mario Kart series. " Click to expand... Click to shrink... They've been there when we needed them the most. Chilling in Moo Moo Meadows.   Hollywood Duo Member Oct 25, 2017 55,009 Well considering 8 was a Wii U game they've been holding this back for fucking ever   luminosity "This guy are sick" Member Oct 30, 2017 1,673 No wonder they want to recoup the money.   Finiri6143 Member Mar 16, 2022 3,251 Truno said: 8 years is not a good thing. It points to development issues Click to expand... Click to shrink... No it doesn't.   Jahranimo Community Resettler Member Oct 25, 2017 10,267 I can believe it, that world looks incredibly expansive and different from anything the MK Team has done before.   BaconHat One Winged Slayer Member Oct 25, 2017 6,577 ned_ballad said: lol one dev just drew a cow in a truck as a silly thing and they ended up loving it so much they added the cow as a character Click to expand... Click to shrink... Well, that's a new profile pic right here!   NotLiquid One Winged Slayer Member Oct 25, 2017 37,874 ResidentDoom said: 8 years seems excessive tbh It better deliver Click to expand... Click to shrink... Nintendo is pretty noted for having very long project incubation and ideation phases. Another recent example of that was Mario Wonder where they said they worked with a no deadlines approach. Obviously the EPD group worked on other stuff during that time like as well like Tour and the Booster Course expansions so it's unlikely it was an all-hands-on-deck type development schedule when they say they started in 2017.  ZeoVGM Member Oct 25, 2017 84,753 Providence, RI Neoxon said: I guess the MK9 part was before Tour became a finalized thing. Still, makes sense that such an ambitious game took so long. Click to expand... Click to shrink... lol no, it would have been called MK9 because it is MK9. Tour was announced in January 2018. This quote should actually put an end to that silly MK9 debate.  Geg Member Oct 25, 2017 6,606 ned_ballad said: lol one dev just drew a cow in a truck as a silly thing and they ended up loving it so much they added the cow as a character Click to expand... Click to shrink... Not only that, it's what also gave them the idea to add all the other weird creatures as drivers. Truly a pivotal moment in development lol   Neoxon Spotlighting Black Excellence - Diversity Analyst Member Oct 25, 2017 93,490 Houston, TX ZeoVGM said: lol no, it would have been called MK9 because it is MK9. Tour was announced in January 2018. This quote should actually put an end to that silly MK9 debate. Click to expand... Click to shrink... Then yeah, that answers it.   Lee Morris Member Oct 28, 2017 3,894 I doubt they have been seriously developing on it for the last few years. I imagine the bulk of the team have moved onto the next game. I was only thinking about the music this morning. 200 tracks means it shouldn't feel too repetitive. Can't wait  Lukar Unshakable Resolve - Prophet of Truth Member Oct 27, 2017 28,242 BY2K said: - Soundtrack uses more live instruments this time around. - The soundtracks includes 200 tracks, "all brand-new arrangements". Click to expand... Click to shrink... Nintendo Music App please come in clutch in two weeks 🙏   --R Being sued right now, please help me find a lawyer Member Oct 25, 2017 15,562 Truno said: 8 years is not a good thing. It points to development issues Click to expand... Click to shrink... It doesn't. They were prototyping in 2017 and tried to make the game work on the first Switch, but it didn't so they moved to the successor.   RPG_Fanatic Member Oct 25, 2017 4,805 ned_ballad said: lol one dev just drew a cow in a truck as a silly thing and they ended up loving it so much they added the cow as a character Click to expand... Click to shrink... Now I want this picture to be plastered on a random billboard in Mario kart World.   Lightsong Member Nov 11, 2022 9,416 Truno said: 8 years is not a good thing. It points to development issues Click to expand... Click to shrink... The issue was the Switch being too weak, lol. They pushed it to Switch 2. It's in the article. No need for concern trolling.   RandomlyRandom67 Member Jul 7, 2023 2,660 $80 price tag makes sense now!   PucePikmin Member Apr 26, 2018 5,355 Truno said: 8 years is not a good thing. It points to development issues Click to expand... Click to shrink... Don't know about that. They had to re-focus and re-scope the game for Switch 2 midway through, which would have added more work. Then, once it was clear MKW was going to be the big Switch 2 launch game, its release got pushed back as the release of Switch 2 also got pushed back. They probably could have released some version of their original vision on the Switch 1 in a lot less than 8 years.  AuthenticM Son Altesse Sérénissime The Fallen Oct 25, 2017 35,157 Hopefully they have since learned that the next Mario Kart should be a launch title for the next system.   poptire Avatar Wrecking Crew The Fallen Oct 25, 2017 15,505 I am so happy you can customize the karts with stickers I don't know why   Neoxon Spotlighting Black Excellence - Diversity Analyst Member Oct 25, 2017 93,490 Houston, TX Truno said: 8 years is not a good thing. It points to development issues Click to expand... Click to shrink... Yeah, & they very clearly stated what it was: The Switch 1's hardware limitations   cw_sasuke Member Oct 27, 2017 29,988 Open World Mario Kart on Switch 1 would probably have had a hard time looking as good and perform as well as MK8D, so they just developed it for Switch 2. It makes sense. Truno said: 8 years is not a good thing. It points to development issues Click to expand... Click to shrink... Or no/less crunch while being more experimental and having much more content Day 1 than past titles.   Shoichi Member Jan 10, 2018 12,476 Truno said: 8 years is not a good thing. It points to development issues Click to expand... Click to shrink... They pushed development to the Switch 2, so it then became a result of when the systems release date was going to be instead   Lotus One Winged Slayer Member Oct 25, 2017 124,059 Geg said: Not only that, it's what also gave them the idea to add all the other weird creatures as drivers. Truly a pivotal moment in development lol Click to expand... Click to shrink... I love that the Cow wasn't just a meme everyone glomped on, but that even the devs singled it out