Bloodborne successor targeted 2026

GamingBible on May 19 pointed to Kadokawa materials as fresh evidence that The Duskbloods, a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive from FromSoftware, is still targeted for 2026. The report framed the game as a “Bloodborne successor,” a comparison driven by the project’s gothic look rather than by any official branding. Kadokawa and Nintendo have both already described the game as a 2026 release, and Kadokawa’s more recent investor materials continue to place it in that window. ### Which game is actually being discussed here? The game in question is The Duskbloods, not a new Bloodborne title. Kadokawa said in an April 2, 2025 release that FromSoftware’s “new online multiplayer action game” would launch worldwide in 2026 on Nintendo Switch 2, and listed the platform, genre and release window directly. Nintendo’s official materials also identify Hidetaka Miyazaki as the game’s director. (gamingbible.com) In Nintendo’s “Creator’s Voice” interview, Miyazaki said he was directing The Duskbloods for FromSoftware, tying the project directly to the studio best known for Dark Souls and Elden Ring. ### Why are people calling it a Bloodborne successor? GamingBible used the phrase “Bloodborne successor” because The Duskbloods has invited comparisons to Bloodborne since its reveal. (group.kadokawa.co.jp) The outlet said many viewers initially thought the trailer could be for “Bloodborne 2,” citing the game’s gothic architecture, dark fantasy setting and vampire-like “Bloodsworn” characters. (nintendo.com) The official description stops short of any Bloodborne connection. Kadokawa’s release describes The Duskbloods as a PvPvE multiplayer action game in which up to eight players compete against one another and against enemies, while Nintendo’s trailer copy says it is “a brand new multiplayer title” from FromSoftware. ### What exactly did Kadokawa say about 2026? (gamingbible.com) Kadokawa’s April 2025 release said The Duskbloods was “scheduled for 2026” on Nintendo Switch 2. That was the first direct corporate statement on timing. Kadokawa’s later earnings materials, cited by Nintendo Life and Video Games Chronicle, repeated that timing. Nintendo Life quoted the company as saying FromSoftware was expected to contribute with “ELDEN RING Tarnished Edition, as well as The Duskbloods (both slated for a 2026 release for Nintendo Switch 2),” while VGC reported the same language and added that Kadokawa said no specific release date had yet been announced. (group.kadokawa.co.jp) ### Is this a delay update or a new release-date announcement? May 19’s reporting does not amount to a newly announced date. GamingBible said the 2026 window had been “locked in” by Kadokawa’s financial report, but neither Kadokawa nor Nintendo has published a day-and-date launch announcement. The clearer takeaway from the source documents is narrower: the 2026 target has been reiterated rather than changed. (nintendolife.com) VGC quoted Kadokawa as saying, “At this point, we have yet to announce a specific release date,” even as it restated that the title remains exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2. (gamingbible.com) ### What has FromSoftware said about the game itself? Miyazaki told Nintendo in April 2025 that The Duskbloods is an online multiplayer title at its core, but said that did not signal a broader shift away from traditional single-player games at FromSoftware. Nintendo’s interview and Kadokawa’s release both describe the game as PvPvE-focused, with up to eight players. (videogameschronicle.com) Nintendo’s trailer copy and Kadokawa’s release both still list the project as coming exclusively to Switch 2 in 2026. As of May 19, the next concrete milestone is a formal release-date announcement from Nintendo, FromSoftware or Kadokawa, none of which has been issued yet. (youtube.com) (nintendo.com)