Elden Ring Nightreign has achieved considerable success, reaching 3.5 million players within a week of its release. Here’s a detailed analysis of its performance:
Initial Launch and Sales
- Rapid Sales: Elden Ring Nightreign sold over 2 million copies within its first day. By June 3, 2025, sales had jumped to 3.5 million copies.
- Revenue: Given the game’s base price of $40, it is estimated that Nightreign has generated around $100 million in its first week, after accounting for marketplace and distributor fees.
Player Count on Steam
- Concurrent Players: The game quickly surpassed 300,000 concurrent players on Steam shortly after its release. It peaked at 313,593 concurrent players approximately one hour and 40 minutes after launch.
- Steam Charts: As of June 3, 2025, the live player count on Steam was approximately 170,542. The 24-hour peak was 262,606 players.
- Steam Reviews: The game initially received “Mixed” reviews on Steam but has since improved to “Mostly Positive.” It has over 41,458 positive reviews and 15,803 negative reviews, with a 72.40% positive review rate.
Comparison to Elden Ring
- Original Elden Ring: The original Elden Ring peaked at 953,426 concurrent players on Steam, significantly higher than Nightreign.
- Expectations: FromSoftware has positioned Nightreign as a smaller side project, with no expectation that it would match the original Elden Ring’s performance. The original Elden Ring has sold over 30 million units since its release in 2022.
Gameplay and Features
- Co-op Focus: Elden Ring Nightreign is designed primarily for three-player cooperative play, challenging teams to survive and defeat Nightlords.
- Roguelike Mechanics: The game incorporates roguelike elements, adding a unique twist to the Soulsborne formula.
- Character Classes: Players can choose from eight distinct classes, each offering unique abilities and playstyles.
- Solo Play: While the game is designed for multiplayer, a single-player option is available, though it is considered more challenging.
Post-Launch Support and Updates
- Duo Expeditions: FromSoftware has confirmed that a two-player mode (“Duo Expeditions”) will be added in a future update.
- Enhanced Fights: Enhanced fights against existing Nightlords are planned to be implemented.
- Patches: A patch (1.01.1) has already been released, introducing bug fixes, balance changes, increased runes for solo play, and the ability to revive once per night boss battle in solo expeditions.
Reception and Reviews
- Initial Concerns: Some critics initially expressed concerns about the game’s balancing and multiplayer focus.
- Improved Sentiment: Following the release of patches and adjustments to solo play, sentiment has improved, with the game’s Steam rating moving from “Mixed” to “Mostly Positive.”
Additional Information
- Modding Community: PC players have created a fan-made mod that allows for two-player co-op ahead of the official update.
- Third Biggest Launch: Elden Ring Nightreign had the third-biggest launch of the year on Steam, only surpassed by Monster Hunter Wilds and Schedule 1.
A Promising Start
Elden Ring Nightreign has demonstrated a strong start, achieving impressive sales and player numbers within its first week. While it may not reach the heights of the original Elden Ring, its unique co-op gameplay, roguelike elements, and ongoing support from FromSoftware position it as a successful title in its own right. The confirmation of duo expeditions and other updates further solidifies the game’s potential for long-term engagement and player satisfaction.