Multiplayer has been included as a feature in almost every mainline FromSoftware game, but Elden Ring Nightreign multiplayer is the first time the developer has forayed into the multiplayer-first genre. As a result, the way multiplayer works in Nightreign is a bit different than in the Souls games and Elden Ring.
Do You Need Elden Ring to Play Nightreign?
Elden Ring Nightreign puts a new spin on the original game's core gameplay. But do you need the original to dive in?
Though you don't need to leave summon signs to play with friends in Nightreign, you will have to ensure you have certain multiplayer settings enabled and know how to use the new matchmaking system. This guide explains how Nightreign matchmaking works, what each multiplayer setting does, and how to play on your own or start a private group to play Nightreign with friends.
Nightreign Multiplayer System, Explained
How To Play Online In Elden Ring Nightreign
To play online, first go into your Networking settings menu and ensure that you have Nightreign set to launch in Online mode. If this is set to Offline, you will not be able to engage in matchmaking until you turn it back on and restart the game.
Once enabled, go to the Roundtable itself within Roundtable Hold and interact with it to open up the Expedition menu. If everything is set up correctly, you can select which Expeditions you want to queue for, then select Commence Expedition to find other group members online.
Unfortunately, Elden Ring Nightreign does not have crossplay between PC, Xbox, and PlayStation. You will only be able to play online and with friends who are on the same platform.
Nightreign Multiplayer Settings
Tab over to find the Multiplayer Settings options. Here, you will see a variety of Multiplayer options Nightreign players can use to invite players, set passwords, add groups, and swap between Multiplayer and Singleplayer Expedition types.
- Team Session: click the Invite Members button to directly invite players from your friends list on your platform of choice. This button should automatically bring up your platform's interface and friend list.
- Password: allows players to connect via a shared password, which prevents anyone except those with the password from joining your session. You can also customize the number of password players, if you need to fill the third slot with a random player. Be sure to look through your password history to easily reconnect with players you have played with before.
- Group Password: allows players to enter a password that ties them to a group. These are soft passwords – you are more likely to match with other players with the same group password, but it does not prevent normal matchmaking from filling in your team.
- Expedition Type: a toggleable option that lets players switch between the default Multiplayer Expedition type and Singleplayer, in which you take on the challenges of Limveld alone or offline.
Elden Ring Nightreign: 7 New Features To Look Out For
With Elden Ring Nightreign set to release sometime in mid-2025, these are all the new features being added to reshape the Elden Ring experience.
How To Invite Friends To A Private Nightreign Group
How To Play Elden Ring Nightreign With Friends
If you don't want to matchmake online, Nightreign allows you to create a private group via two methods: password play or direct invite. To create a private group in Nightreign and play with friends, coordinate with your teammates to come up with a unique password, and have everybody enter the same phrase into the Password section of the Multiplayer Settings menu.
Though it's entirely possible to beat Nightreign with a public team, you will generally be more effective if you play with people with whom you can communicate via voice chat.
Under normal conditions, you should be able to matchmake with other players with the same password seamlessly. However, if one player has a Shifting Earth event active or is on a Remembrance personal objective, you may find it a bit more finicky to get a Nightreign run going.
If you are unable to connect to your friends, try queuing one by one in different orders. The player with a special personal modifier should also either clear the Shifting Earth event or postpone the Remembrance to help smooth out potential matchmaking conflicts.
These two methods seem to help, but if you still don't see the 1/3 player count get higher after a few seconds, you may need to directly invite your friends. Direct invites always work, while password matchmaking can be tricky, so if all else fails, try inviting your friends to play Nightreign via your platform's friends list.
Elden Ring Nightreign
- Released
- May 30, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- From Software
- Publisher(s)
- Bandai Namco Entertainment, From Software
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op
- Number of Players
- 1-3
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Soulslike, Roguelite
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC
