Divided by platforms, united by blood.
FromSoftware announced a Bloodborne-coded multiplayer action title, The Duskbloods, at the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct showcase. While the reveal was surprising, many people were particularly shocked to learn that The Duskbloods is a Switch 2 exclusive title.
While FromSoft has previously collaborated with PlayStation and Xbox (and even Nintendo for that part) to release exclusive games on their systems, many found The Duskbloods announcement unexpected. More so, given the studio’s multiplatform success with games like Dark Souls 3 and Elden Ring.
However, Nintendo has since then made it very clear that this upcoming PvPvE Bloodborne successor will be available only on Switch 2. As such, a more important question, perhaps, is how long will The Duskbloods be a Nintendo exclusive? And would it ever launch on other systems?
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Will The Duskbloods eventually launch on PS5 and PC?
The Duskbloods will likely never launch on PS5 and PC. It’s because, unlike PlayStation and Xbox, Nintendo is more reluctant to release its first and second-party titles on rival platforms. Platinum Games’ Astral Chain is a prominent example, as it was never released on any other platform except the Switch.
That said, both PlayStation and Xbox have become more lenient about launching their first-party and second-party titles on other platforms. PlayStation has a history of making certain second-party games exclusive to their system for a year or two. On the other hand, Xbox nowadays seems to have no problem bringing its first-party catalog to PlayStation and Nintendo.
The most recent Xbox Direct even showcased PlayStation and Nintendo logos on some game reveals, something that hasn’t happened before. Likewise, PlayStation is now more transparent about its timed exclusives, often detailing the exclusivity period in tiny texts at the end of game trailers.
However, Nintendo is oblivious to such practices. It has shown no signs of changing its decades-old formula of launching games exclusively on its platforms to boost console sales. As such, the idea of The Duskbloods coming to PS5, PC, and Xbox eventually seems far-fetched.
If there’s a silver lining, it’s that The Duskbloods is a multiplayer title. While Nintendo isn’t a stranger to multiplayer successes, it’s not the best platform to play visually demanding multiplayer titles.
As Lance McDonald, a notable content creator who made the unofficial 60 FPS patch for Bloodborne, pointed out that The Duskbloods reveal trailer was running at 1080p and 30 FPS. It’s not the ideal setting for any action multiplayer title.
Either way, if Nintendo wants to bring The Duskbloods on PS5, PC, or Xbox, you shouldn’t expect it until 2027.
