Through the period starting November 12 and ending November 14, FromSoftware and publisher Bandai Namco plan to host a Closed Network Test for Elden Ring. FromSoftware's next ambitious role-playing title, Elden Ring first hit the world stage during E3 2019. After a lengthy period of silence, the title resurfaced at this year's Summer Game Fest 2021, complete with official gameplay and fresh details in tow.
Fans of the Souls series, obviously, have plenty to look forward to once Elden Ring hits store shelves early next year. However, it seems the storied studio's latest opus will prove a bit more accessible than previous endeavors. That doesn't translate to the introduction of a difficulty slider, though. Instead, FromSoftware opted to develop a larger-scale world with fewer boss characters. While mandatory big bads could still provide quite the challenge, yet progress won't be gated off by overly difficult encounters. Those eager to see how this all plays out may get lucky in a little less than a month.
Today, FromSoftware and Bandai Namco revealed Elden Ring's Closed Network Test, which kicks off on November 12 and lasts through November 14. The test will only be conducted on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S consoles, according to details shared in a reveal trailer. Fans interested in signing up can do so via Elden Ring's official website; registration ends on November 1. The registration process itself seems simple enough, as the form prompts users to select their platform of choice, then asks about experience with FromSoftware games before requiring the insertion of an email address.
In addition, the registration page for the Closed Network Test notes that servers will be open across five different three-hour sessions. Participants can expect the first session to go live on the morning of November 12, followed by a second session that night. Session 3 opens midday on November 13. The fourth and fifth test times will start in the morning and evening, respectively.
Information concerning next month's Closed Network Test isn't the only news that FromSoftware kickstarted the week with; the studio also announced a release date delay for Elden Ring. The previously confirmed January 2022 due date will now fall on February 25.
Following a one-month delay, Elden Ring will hit PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S on February 25, 2022.