Elden Ring Omits PopularSouls Feature

Elden Ring Nightreign: No In-Game Messaging System

FromSoftware has confirmed that Elden Ring Nightreign will not feature an in-game messaging system, a staple of the Soulsborne series. This decision, according to game director Junya Ishizaki (in a January 3rd interview with IGN Japan), is a practical one. The fast-paced, multiplayer-focused design of Nightreign, with anticipated play sessions of approximately 40 minutes, leaves insufficient time for players to read and write messages.

This omission doesn't signal the removal of all asynchronous features. In fact, key elements like the bloodstain mechanic will return, enhanced to allow players to see and even loot the ghosts of fallen comrades. This aligns with FromSoftware's goal of creating a "compressed RPG" – a more intense and streamlined experience with minimal downtime, achieved partly through the game's planned three-day structure.

The absence of the messaging system contributes to this compressed, multiplayer-centric design. While the asynchronous messaging system has been a significant element in fostering community engagement in previous titles, its inclusion in Nightreign was deemed incompatible with the game's intended pace and intensity.

Elden Ring Nightreign's release is targeted for 2025, as revealed at TGA 2024, though a precise release date remains unannounced.