The Duskbloods Closed Network Test Tester Duties
What Nintendo and FromSoftware expect from selected players — feedback, confidentiality, and limits of the pre-release build
Receiving a Closed Network Test (CNT) invite for The Duskbloods is access to unfinished Nintendo Switch 2 software—not early ownership of the retail game. Nintendo and FromSoftware select players partly because large-scale online tests generate connectivity telemetry, balance impressions, and bug reports that no internal QA room can fully replicate. This page summarises tester duties in plain language: what you should do during and after sessions, what Nintendo will not help you with, how save data behaves, and why NDA and streaming limits may apply even after you install the client.
Selection results arrive August 7, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). Preload opens August 18, 2026, with five four-hour session windows across August 21–23, 2026. Read after selection if you are still waiting for August 7 mail, and how to check selection for notification troubleshooting.
The Duskbloods targets a 2026 launch window and remains upcoming—the CNT build can differ materially from retail.
Why tester duties exist
FromSoftware’s first online-first PvPvE experiment on Nintendo hardware needs real-world proof that eight-player Bloodsworn lobbies stay stable, that Victory Points and dynamic events read clearly under latency, and that hub blood customisation flows into matchmaking without account edge cases. Your play sessions are both a preview and a load test. Nintendo’s published CNT materials therefore emphasise:
- Honest bug reporting when crashes, disconnects, or UI blockers appear
- Post-session surveys about connectivity, matchmaking wait times, and balance feel
- Compliance with confidentiality rules that may restrict capture and public discussion
Skipping surveys or ignoring reproducible bugs wastes the slot someone else wanted. Treat participation as a short contract, not a free demo with no strings.
Report issues — but do not expect tech support
When something breaks, document it:
- Note date, session window, and approximate time using CNT schedule anchors converted via the session timezone tool.
- Capture steps to reproduce if policy allows—many network tests forbid long-form video; follow your August 7 selection message as the authority.
- Submit through whatever in-client or web form Nintendo includes in test materials. Specific URLs arrive with selection e-mail, not on fan wikis.
Nintendo and FromSoftware do not operate consumer tech support for the CNT the way they might for a launched eShop title. Wiki volunteers cannot reissue download codes, reset corrupted saves, or override matchmaking bans. Persistent login failures usually trace to requirements—region mismatch, lapsed Nintendo Switch Online, wrong user profile—not mysterious server malice.
Still file reports for systemic issues. Disconnect spikes during session two help engineers even if your household router was partially at fault.
Post-play surveys are mandatory etiquette
Expect questionnaires after sessions covering:
- Connection quality and disconnect frequency
- Matchmaking wait times during peak windows
- Readability of Victory Points, objectives, and First Blood prompts
- Hub navigation and Destined Rivals / Destined Companion role clarity
Answers need not be positive to be useful. “Could not finish a match due to error code X” beats empty praise. Surveys typically arrive by e-mail or through links inside the test client—complete them while memory is fresh, ideally the same day.
Pair survey honesty with prep guides: how to prepare for the Network Test and the CNT checklist tool reduce noise from preventable setup mistakes.
Save data will not carry to retail
Official messaging is explicit: progress from the Network Test Version does not transfer to the upcoming 2026 retail release. Hub unlocks, cosmetic experiments, and muscle memory are valuable, but characters, currencies, or rank you grind during August sessions should be treated as disposable.
Implications for testers:
- Experiment freely with blood customisation and role paths—see Bloodsworn roles for theory before you queue.
- Do not plan streaming “progression series” that assume persistence into launch.
- Do not pay third parties for “maxed CNT accounts”—there is nothing to transfer.
Retail parity questions belong on the News hub once Nintendo announces a street date—not in speculative Discord leaks.
No buying, selling, or sharing access
Your download code is a single-use ticket bound to the Nintendo Account that applied during July 22–28, 2026. Duties include keeping it private:
- Do not sell or auction codes on marketplaces.
- Do not share codes in Discord, Reddit, or group chats—even “just helping a friend.”
- Do not buy codes from resellers; scams spike around August 7 selection.
Violations can revoke access for the entire test period and may affect future Nintendo play-test invitations. Redemption mechanics are covered in how to redeem your CNT code.
NDA, capture, and streaming limits
Prior FromSoftware network tests restricted live streaming, extended capture, and datamine sharing. Nintendo’s June 2026 CNT announcement repeated that gameplay and UI may change before retail and that capture restrictions likely apply. Assume NDA limits unless your August 7 packet explicitly permits more.
Practical rules of thumb until official text says otherwise:
- Do not broadcast full session VODs publicly.
- Do not upload long uncut footage to social platforms.
- Do not share unreleased asset rips or menu screenshots beyond what Nintendo allows in FAQ excerpts.
Wiki coverage after sessions will incorporate only publicly permitted information. When in doubt, stay silent online and keep notes private.
Schedule and build content may change
Tester duties include flexibility. Nintendo reserves the right to adjust session times, extend maintenance, or patch the client between windows. The schedule page reflects the last published PDT anchors—monitor Nintendo Account notices during test week for overrides.
Gameplay systems—Victory Points, dynamic events, weapon tuning—may differ week to week as designers react to telemetry. Do not treat CNT balance as launch meta; see Tier List only after retail data exists.
Session-day duty checklist
Use this before each four-hour window:
| Duty | Action |
|---|---|
| Account | Same Nintendo Account as July application; active NSO |
| Hardware | Switch 2 charged or docked; stable internet |
| Conduct | Follow NDA/streaming rules in selection e-mail |
| Play | Finish matches when possible—rewards apply win or lose |
| Report | File reproducible bugs with time and session ID |
| Survey | Complete post-session questionnaire same day |
| Respect | No code sharing, resale, or harassment in lobbies |
Deep gameplay prep lives under Guides and Gameplay. Return to the Network Test hub for preload, requirements, and selection follow-up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers drawn from official Network Test and Creator’s Voice details.
Do CNT testers have to complete surveys?
Yes. Nintendo expects post-session surveys about connectivity and gameplay. Honest feedback—even negative—is part of the tester contract alongside bug reports.
Will my CNT progress carry to the full 2026 game?
No. Save data from the Network Test Version does not transfer to the retail release. Treat all unlocks and ranks as disposable test data.
Can I stream Duskbloods CNT gameplay publicly?
Assume streaming and long capture are restricted unless your August 7 selection materials explicitly allow more. Prior FromSoftware tests used NDA limits.
Can I sell or give my CNT download code to a friend?
No. Codes bind to one Nintendo Account from the July application. Sharing or selling codes violates play-test rules and may revoke access.
Does Nintendo provide tech support during the CNT?
Do not expect retail-style support. Fix account and region issues using the requirements page, then report reproducible bugs through official test forms.