Is the Elden Ring Nightreign Network Test on PC?

So you’re wondering, “Is the Elden Ring Nightreign Network Test on PC?” The short answer? Nope – and it’s got PC players heated. FromSoftware dropped the ball hard on this one, leaving their most vocal fanbase out in the cold while console players got to sample their co-op spin-off first.

Why PC Got the Cold Shoulder

The Elden Ring Nightreign Network Test ran from February 14-17, 2025, but PC players were completely shut out. Bandai Namco made it crystal clear – this was PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S only, no exceptions.

Their reasoning? They wanted to test server stability under “controlled conditions.” Translation: they didn’t want to deal with the wild west of PC hardware configurations while trying to figure out if their servers could handle the load. It’s the safe play, but it left a massive chunk of their audience feeling ignored.

Here’s the kicker – registration was initially limited to North America, forcing international players to jump through VPN hoops just for a chance to participate. Talk about adding insult to injury.

The Network Test Disaster

Even with their “controlled conditions,” the whole thing was a mess. Server crashes hit everyone hard, with players across both console platforms reporting login errors, disconnections, and getting stuck in hub areas like they were trapped in digital purgatory.

PS5 users got the worst of it, but Xbox players weren’t spared either. Content creators who planned to showcase the game couldn’t even get past the loading screens – imagine planning your entire streaming schedule around a game that won’t let you play.

The three-player co-op requirement made things even worse. You couldn’t just jump in solo or with one buddy – you needed a full party of three, which is tough when the matchmaking system is having a mental breakdown.

What This Meant for PC Players

PC gamers didn’t just miss out on early access – they missed out on having their platform-specific issues identified and fixed. FromSoftware has a sketchy history with PC ports, and this felt like another chapter in that ongoing saga.

The exclusion created real uncertainty about how the Steam version would perform. Would it be another botched launch like some of their previous titles? Nobody knew, because nobody could test it.

The Aftermath and Lessons Learned

After the network test crashed and burned, FromSoftware acknowledged they were “considering an additional Network Test” to address the chaos. That second test never happened, but they did learn some valuable lessons.

By June 2025, post-launch server maintenance targeted expedition matchmaking and NAT type compatibility issues that could’ve been caught earlier with broader testing.

The Steam version did eventually get its act together – reviews shifted from “Mixed” to “Mostly Positive” after patches addressed input latency and anti-cheat problems. But imagine how much smoother the launch could’ve been with PC players stress-testing alongside console users.

Platform	Network Test Access	Launch Status	Review Score Improvement
PlayStation 5	✅ Yes	Stable	Maintained Positive
Xbox Series X|S	✅ Yes	Stable	Maintained Positive
PC/Steam	❌ No	Rocky Start	Mixed → Mostly Positive

The Real Cost of Console-Only Testing

This whole situation shows why excluding major platforms from network tests is shortsighted. PC players aren’t just another demographic – they’re often the most vocal, most engaged part of the community. They’re the ones creating guides, streaming content, and keeping the conversation alive months after launch.

Community feedback during the test pushed for duo and solo modes to reduce the matchmaking burden. That’s exactly the kind of insight you get from broader testing – real players finding real solutions to design problems.

Bottom Line

Is the Elden Ring Nightreign Network Test on PC? No, and that decision hurt both the game and its community. While FromSoftware eventually got their act together post-launch, the rocky start could’ve been avoided with more inclusive testing.

The lesson here isn’t just for FromSoftware – it’s for every developer planning network tests. Your most passionate players often live on PC, and shutting them out means missing critical feedback that could save your launch. Next time, maybe don’t leave your biggest advocates watching from the sidelines.

The game’s doing fine now, but the path there was way bumpier than it needed to be. Sometimes the safe play isn’t the smart play.

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