FromSoftware’s latest entry into the Lands Between, Elden Ring: Nightreign, is facing a steep drop in engagement. Despite launching just two months ago, the game has lost nearly 82% of its peak concurrent Steam player base, according to data from SteamDB.
At launch, Elden Ring Nightreign hit a respectable peak of 313,593 concurrent players. However, its 24-hour peak recently dropped to just 55,862 — a significant decline that leaves it with only 17.81% of its launch peak.
🎮 A Multiplayer-First Elden Ring?
Unlike the original game, Nightreign is clearly designed with three-player co-op in mind. While solo play is possible, the structure of the game encourages group exploration across a reimagined version of the Lands Between, with tougher-than-usual bosses and expanded combat dynamics.
This shift marks a notable change for FromSoftware, which is best known for solo-friendly titles with optional co-op and PvP. With Nightreign, multiplayer isn’t optional — it’s central to the experience.
💸 Lower Price, Lower Peak
Launching at a budget-friendly $39.99, Nightreign still saw only about one-third of the original Elden Ring’s all-time peak of 953,426 players. That difference is understandable — Nightreign is a spin-off, not a full sequel. Still, expectations were high, especially given the ongoing popularity of the base game even three years post-release.
Notably, the original Elden Ring still managed a 24-hour peak of 52,589 players — not far behind Nightreign‘s current numbers, despite being significantly older.
📉 Why the Sharp Decline?
Several possible reasons may explain Nightreign‘s rapid player drop:
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Multiplayer Reliance: The required coordination for 3-player co-op may have limited solo player engagement.
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Content Burnout: Once players complete the limited campaign, there’s not much incentive to return.
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Technical Concerns: Some users have cited bugs and network instability, especially in co-op sessions.
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Spin-off Status: As a non-sequel, Nightreign may not attract the same long-term commitment from fans.
⚖️ Is Nightreign in Trouble?
While an 82% drop may sound alarming, it’s not entirely unexpected for a multiplayer-heavy release that appeals to a more niche audience. By comparison, many multiplayer games see similar post-launch declines after the core audience finishes the main content.
The silver lining? Nightreign is still outperforming many other recent releases in the genre and maintains a solid concurrent player base by modern standards.
🧭 What’s Next for FromSoftware?
If FromSoftware plans to expand Nightreign with additional content or updates, now would be the time. Keeping players engaged will be critical for long-term success, especially with the studio’s high standards and a competitive multiplayer space.