Elden Ring Nightreign will feature procedurally generated terrain changes, including volcanos and poison swamps. Read on to learn more about this game mechanic!
Elden Ring Nightreign Will Have Procedurally Generated Terrains
Includes Volcanoes, Poison Swamps, and Forests
Elden Ring Nightreign director Junya Ishizaki revealed the game’s map would procedurally generate volcanos, forests, or swamps in an interview featured on PC Gamer’s Magazine Issue 405, reported by Games Radar on February 10, 2025.
Like a true Soulslike game, Elden Ring Nightreign will include poison swamps and other environmental hazards that force players to change their strategies when navigating the map and approaching enemies. The game’s map will have "large-scale changes to terrain in the form of procedurally appearing volcanoes or swamps or forests," Ishizaki explained.
This decision stems from the idea that the developers wanted "the map itself to be a giant dungeon, so players have the chance to traverse and explore a different way every time they play." For instance, forested areas provide cover not only to players but to enemies as well, forcing them to take caution while navigating that type of terrain.
"Once you've made that choice, maybe you have an idea of how you want to strategize against that boss, and this might change how you approach the map. We wanted to offer players that agency, to decide 'I need to go after a poison weapon this time to face this boss.'"
Similar terrains from previous titles might also return to the game, such as the dreaded Swamp of Aeonia and Lake of Rot, which slow down players and apply the Rot debuff. On the other hand, these procedurally generated terrains may also feature specific enemies, such as Giant Lobsters or Crabs, the unrelenting Runebears, the fierce Magma Wyrms, or other foes from previous Souls games.
Elden Ring Nightreign Playtest Invites Rolling Out Now
Learning the lay of the land in Elden Ring Nightreign is coming soon, as playtest invites are officially being sent now. Fans had the opportunity to sign up for this playtest during The Game Awards 2024. Lucky players can test the game on Xbox Series X|S and PS5 from February 14 to 16, 2025.
Those who signed up and were fortunately invited to playtest the game will be given access to Nightreign. Here is the specific date and time for the playtest.
⚫︎ February 14: 3:00 to 6:00 am (PT)
⚫︎ February 14: 7:00 to 10:00 pm (PT)
⚫︎ February 15: 11:00 am to 2:00 pm (PT)
⚫︎ February 16: 3:00 to 6:00 am (PT)
⚫︎ February 16: 7:00 to 10:00 pm (PT)
The goal of the playtest is to assess Nightreign’s server load, investigate issues that might arise in online multiplayer sessions, and review game balance. The developers also reminded players that the game data is still under development, which may restrict access to certain areas, enemies, and features that are not yet available.
Sources:
Elden Ring Nightreign Playtest Details
Games Radar: Nightreign Will Have Swamps article
