*The Duskbloods* Hasn’t Even Launched Yet, but Its Exclusivity Has Already Put It on the Back Foot

Going all-in on this move is very risky. As someone who regularly plays fighting games competitively, the first things I look at in a game are how it feels in hand and the versus experience, but publishers’ strategies have startup and recovery frames too. This time, 《The Duskbloods》 has been slapped with the Switch 2 exclusive label, and instead of maxing out the hype, it was met with a wave of boos from overseas player communities. The message is clear: this new FromSoftware title has not been met with broad anticipation in the near term, but has instead sparked open boycotts across social platforms.

So where’s the problem. The core issue is not that players suddenly stopped loving FS, but that the thorn of 《Bloodborne》 has never been removed. After years of Sony exclusivity and an uncertain remake outlook, a portion of Soulsborne players have already had their patience worn thin. And now that FS has once again placed a new title inside the box of platform exclusivity, many people are naturally settling old scores along with it, feeling that this is just a repeat of the same controversial move from the past.

As for player attitudes, this time it’s not just empty talk. A large number of overseas players have already publicly stated that even if they already like FS games, they still would not buy a Switch 2 just for 《The Duskbloods》. There are also more aggressive voices, some even calling for real action to “help drive the game into decline.” The wording is harsh, but it shows that the community mood has gone beyond ordinary dissatisfaction and is treating this exclusivity as a baffling decision-making blunder.

What stings even more is that after the success of 《Elden Ring》, player expectations had actually changed. A lot of people felt that what FS should be doing at this point was releasing a multiplatform title as a positive response to a much larger player base. Instead, it’s doing the opposite now, effectively putting up a barrier right when it should be expanding its audience. For a company that has just established global influence, this really does feel like grabbing an advantage and then jumping off a cliff.

From an industry perspective, exclusivity is not inherently wrong; the key lies in the platform’s pull and how well it matches the game. But this controversy makes one thing clear: FS is no longer a niche brand enjoying itself in a small circle, and every move it makes will be examined under a microscope. Some players have even gone so far as to declare outright that the exclusivity strategy behind 《The Duskbloods》 could become FromSoftware’s first true Waterloo. That may sound heavy, but it’s not without basis—once this kind of sentiment takes shape, a game’s launch performance can take a serious hit.

One last point, a direct suggestion for players who are still on the fence. If you were already planning to buy a Switch 2, then keep waiting for hands-on footage and gameplay details—there’s no need to get swept along by public opinion just yet. But if you were only thinking about picking up the system for this one game, I’d suggest hitting the brakes and waiting for more information before deciding. In the current situation, the game’s quality hasn’t even had a chance to throw its first punch, and the platform strategy has already started dropping frames. The release date is set for 2026/04/10, so there’s still time before the real test. Whether FS can bring this one back will depend on whether the follow-up reveals enough real substance.