Elden Ring Nightreign Network Test Timings: The Real Story Behind the Chaos

So you missed the Elden Ring Nightreign network test? Don’t worry – half the people who registered couldn’t get in either. What was supposed to be FromSoftware’s triumphant return to co-op gaming turned into a masterclass in what happens when ambition meets reality. Let’s break down what actually went down during those chaotic February sessions.

The Schedule That Almost Worked

The Elden Ring Nightreign Network Test timings were spread across February 14-17, 2025, with five three-hour windows designed to accommodate global players. Here’s how it played out:

Session 1: February 14, 11:00 AM–2:00 PM GMT (3:00–6:00 AM PT)
Session 2: February 14, 3:00–6:00 PM PT
Session 3: February 16, 11:00 AM–2:00 PM GMT
Session 4: February 16, 7:00–10:00 PM GMT
Session 5: February 16, 7:00–10:00 PM PT

The scheduling strategy looked solid on paper – balance server load while hitting different time zones. Reality? Not so much. Players in Asia and Oceania got the short end of the stick, with sessions landing at brutal hours or missing their regions entirely.

What You Really Needed to Play

The trial was not the full Nightreign experience – it was a special demo. You could play a single map (Limveld) and eight pre-made character classes with set skills. There was no character build and no carryover progress to the final game. It was you, two teammates, and 30 minutes against random foes.

The co-op action was the best part. You needed to work in three-player teams and you had to cooperate or else you’d lose – you couldn’t do it by yourself. There is a catch, though: you first had to be connected to the servers.

When Everything Went Wrong

Session 1 was a disaster. Server connectivity issues hit PlayStation 5 players the hardest, with many of them unable to log in at all. Those who did get in suffered repeated disconnections and lag spikes of over 100ms – pretty much unplayable for a game that needs split-second timing.

Content creators who had livestreams scheduled encountered disconnection issues when their viewers were online. FromSoftware tried to make quick server adjustments during the test, but it was already too late to correct the problems. The first experience was terrible.

Console performance did not improve matters. The PS5 version could not maintain 60 FPS at quality settings, degrading to 35-50 FPS in heavy environments. The Xbox Series X did a bit better, but both consoles suffered from frame pacing inconsistencies. Digital Foundry was not pleased that the PS5 Pro did not get optimized as well.

The Fixes That Really Mattered

FromSoftware did not let the criticism go. The June 6, 2025 update overhauled matchmaking completely by implementing a system that pairs players to servers based on where they are. This means the game now tries to match you up with people near you, which reduces lag. The May 13 patch also corrected gameplay balance issues that players had during the network test.

The Night Lord boss now takes 15% less damage from area attacks, because it was not fun for anyone to get killed with one hit from area attacks. Two new character classes, Shadowblade and Pyre Knight, were introduced to provide players with additional strategic options.

What All This Means for You

The test network statistics created some interesting trends. Session 4 (7:00-10:00 PM GMT) included the highest number of players in European regions, and it was a perfect time for quick matchmaking. The Frostwarden class dominated the crowd-control situations during the test – something that still holds true for the full game.

If you’re tuning in for the first time today, you’re receiving the polished product that was refined by test subjects. The matchmaking upgrades ensure that you’ll actually find a team without having to wait an eternity, and balance changes fix the most egregious February pain points.

The Bottom Line

The Elden Ring Nightreign Network Test scheduling dates are a tale of overambitious planning colliding with brutal reality. FromSoftware discovered that worldwide scheduling is difficult, server infrastructure is more important than content polish, and community input leads to actual improvements.

The test was far from flawless. But the patches post-launch indicate that FromSoftware listens when players kick up a fuss about bugs. Sometimes the best network tests are the chaotic ones, forcing developers to fix what’s busted.

Future network tests will be made available, with FromSoftware offering another test to ensure their server improvements. While that is set to happen, lessons were learned from the February mayhem that have greatly enhanced Nightreign for all who play today.

Also Read:Elden Ring Nightreign Release and Network Test Guide: What You Need to Know