Honestly, nobody saw this coming. When FromSoftware dropped the trailer for Elden Ring Nightreign, the collective jaw of the Soulsborne community didn't just drop—it shattered. We all thought Shadow of the Erdtree was the grand finale, the final curtain call for the Lands Between. But Miyazaki apparently had other plans for our collective sanity. If you're itching to figure out how to play Elden Ring Nightreign network test, you aren't alone. Thousands of Tarnished are currently refreshing their inboxes, hoping for that golden ticket from Bandai Namco. It’s a bit of a lottery, really. A high-stakes, digital lottery where the prize is getting pummeled by a new breed of demigod before anyone else does.
This isn't just a patch. This is a standalone, co-op-focused "gauntlet" experience that feels like a fever dream mashup of Elden Ring’s tight combat and a more arcade-style survival loop. But getting in? That’s the tricky part. You can't just buy your way into this one.
The Brutal Reality of the Selection Process
Look, here is the deal. The network test is a closed environment. FromSoftware needs to stress-test their servers because Nightreign leans heavily on seamless multiplayer, a feat they’ve historically... struggled with, to put it politely. To get your hands on the build, you had to have registered through the official Bandai Namco portal during the specific sign-up window. If you missed that window, I have some bad news: you’re mostly at the mercy of the secondary market or potential second-wave invites.
The selection isn't based on how many hours you’ve clocked in the base game. It doesn’t care if you’ve beaten Malenia at Rune Level 1 with a literal wooden club. It’s mostly geographical and hardware-based. They need a mix of PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC players to ensure the cross-play (which is a huge focus here) doesn’t implode the moment ten people try to summon at once.
If you did register, check your "Promotions" or "Spam" folders. Bandai Namco emails often get flagged by aggressive filters. The email will contain a unique code for your specific platform. Do not share this. These codes are usually locked to the region of your account. If you’re a US player trying to use an EU code, you’re going to have a bad time.
Getting the Nightreign Client Ready
Once you have that code, the process of how to play Elden Ring Nightreign network test becomes a bit more straightforward, though the file size is surprisingly beefy. On PlayStation and Xbox, you just redeem the code in the store. On PC, it’s a Steam key.
Expect a download of roughly 30GB to 40GB.
Wait.
Why so big for a "test"?
Because Nightreign isn't just a couple of hallways. The test area includes a substantial chunk of the new "Shadow-Bound" map. It’s dense. This isn't the wide-open fields of Limgrave. It's vertical, claustrophobic, and packed with environmental hazards that make Sen's Fortress look like a playground.
Server Times are the Real Boss
You can't just play this whenever you want. This is a "Network Test," not a demo. FromSoftware sets very specific windows. Usually, these are 3-to-4-hour blocks spread across a weekend. They do this to force everyone onto the servers at the same time. They want the lag. They want the crashes. They want to see exactly what happens when 50,000 people try to enter a "Nightreign Portal" simultaneously.
- Check the official schedule: Usually posted on the Elden Ring Twitter (X) account or the Bandai Namco site.
- Convert the timezones: They usually list times in JST (Japan Standard Time) or CEST. If you show up three hours late because you forgot to account for Daylight Savings, you’ve lost your chance.
- Pre-load is your friend: Most platforms allow you to download the client 24 hours before the first session. Do it. Don't waste your precious three-hour window watching a progress bar.
What Actually Happens When You Start?
When you finally load in, forget your old builds. You don't import your Level 250 character who can one-shot gods. In the network test, you'll likely choose from a set of "Pre-set Classes." These are designed to showcase the new mechanics in Nightreign.
One of the classes, which fans are already calling the "Void Knight," uses a bizarre new catalyst that scales with a stat we haven't seen before. It’s weird. It’s experimental. It’s exactly what a network test should be. The gameplay loop in Nightreign is different from the base game. It’s faster. There’s a "Stance" system that feels a bit more like Sekiro but wrapped in the weight of Dark Souls.
You'll notice the "Nightreign" mechanic immediately. The world shifts. The sky goes a bruised purple, and enemies that were previously passive suddenly become hyper-aggressive. This is what the developers are testing—how the world state changes affect multiplayer synchronization. If you’re playing with a buddy, pay attention to whether the sky changes for both of you at the same time. If it doesn't, that’s exactly the kind of bug you should be reporting.
Troubleshooting the "Failed to Log In" Screen
You will see this screen. A lot.
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Don't panic. It doesn't mean your code is broken or your console is dying. It usually means the servers are at capacity or haven't "opened" yet for the session. In previous FromSoftware tests, like the original Elden Ring one back in 2021, the first 30 minutes of every session were a nightmare of "Network Error" messages.
If you get booted, just keep trying. Persistence is literally a core theme of these games, right? Also, make sure your NAT type is Open. If you're on a Strict NAT, the peer-to-peer elements of Nightreign will give you constant "Unable to Summon" errors. Plug in an Ethernet cable if you can. Wi-Fi is the enemy of a successful network test experience.
The Big Differences You'll Notice
People keep asking if this is just Elden Ring 1.5. After spending time with the leaked details and early test footage, it’s clear Nightreign is its own beast. The focus is on "Siege" gameplay. You aren't just wandering; you're defending specific points against waves of enemies while trying to solve environmental puzzles.
The "Ashes of War" system has been overhauled too. In the test, you might find "Linked Ashes," which allow you to perform a combo that another player can "pick up" and finish. It’s a level of co-op synergy we haven't seen in this series before. It’s messy, it’s chaotic, and when it works, it feels incredible.
Actionable Steps for the Aspiring Tarnished
If you want to maximize your chances of actually playing and not just staring at a menu, follow this sequence:
- The Inbox Scrub: Search your email for "Bandai Namco" and "Elden Ring." Don't forget the trash folder. Codes are being sent out in waves.
- The Hardware Prep: Clear 50GB of space. Even if the file is smaller, the console needs extra room for the "copying" phase of the installation.
- The Discord Connection: Join the Elden Ring Discord. There is usually a dedicated channel for the network test where people post the exact second the servers go live. Sometimes they go up 10 minutes early.
- The Feedback Loop: If you get in, use the feedback link provided in the email. FromSoftware actually reads these. If a certain weapon is broken or the lag makes a boss impossible, speak up. This is the only time they’ll listen before the official launch.
- Capture Everything: If your platform allows it, record your gameplay. These tests are temporary, and once the weekend is over, the client becomes a useless brick on your hard drive.
Don't buy codes from strangers on Reddit or Twitter. 99% of them are scams, and the other 1% are likely to get banned because the codes are often tied to the account that requested them. Just wait. If you don't get into this test, there’s almost always an "Open" period or a second phase closer to the actual release date of Nightreign. Stay patient, keep your flasks full, and watch the skies.