Elden Ring beta: Start date, sign-ups, and how to play the network test

Developer FromSoftware’s Elden Ring is an upcoming action role-playing game being published by Bandai Namco. Fans of past FromSoftware games like the Dark Souls trilogy, Bloodborne, and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice know to expect a mysterious world filled with terrifying monsters and difficult bosses to overcome. Depending on how it shakes out, it could even end up being one of the best Xbox RPGs available.

Ahead of the game’s launch, FromSoftware and Bandai Namco are inviting players to sign up for a Closed Network Test. While it’s not a full open beta, this does mean a handful of players will get to try an Elden Ring beta if they’re selected. Here’s what you need to know about signing up, the start time, and more.

Alongside news of Elden Ring’s delay, FromSoftware and Bandai Namco shared news on how players can sign up to try part of the game ahead of launch. This test isn’t open to everyone but instead, certain players will be selected on certain platforms in order to test the network of the game.

FromSoftware has previously held these kinds of tests for past games that featured online functionality, including the Dark Souls games and Bloodborne. The Closed Network Test is being held on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PS5 and PS4. Unfortunately, it appears that there won’t be access for PC players, at least right now.

List Elden Ring beta Closed Network Test times and dates

The test is being held across five sessions in the middle of Nov. 2021. If you are selected, you’ll have access to all five sessions, which is when the servers will be online for players to access. Here are the five sessions and the times they’ll be open:

• Session 1 – November 12th (Fri) from 3:00am to 6:00am PT
• Session 2 – November 12th (Fri) from 7:00pm to 10:00pm PT
• Session 3 – November 13th (Sat) from 11:00am to 2:00pm PT
• Session 4 – November 14th (Sun) from 3:00am to 6:00am PT
• Session 5 – November 14th (Sun) from 7:00pm to 10:00pm PT

How to sign up for the Elden Ring beta and Closed Network Test

To sign up, you’ll need to head to the official page. You’ll then need to select your platform: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS5, or PS4. You’ll also be asked to select which FromSoftware games you’ve played in the past, which is probably being used as selection criteria. An email address is required and it’s important that you keep track of your inbox.

It’s important to note that registration closes on Nov. 1, 2021, so you need to get your entry for this test in before the sign-ups close.

An upcoming epic

Elden Ring is the result of years of FromSoftware’s years of learning, drawing inspiration from games like Demon’s Souls, the Dark Souls trilogy, Bloodborne and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. It’s an open-world game where players can summon others for help or invade the worlds of other players. There’s also stealth mechanics, as well as horseback travel.

The world of Elden Ring was designed as a collaboration between FromSoftware’s Hidetaka Miyazaki and A Song of Ice and Fire author George R.R. Martin. The game also introduces other new features, such as Legacy Dungeons, which are designed to be even more difficult than other parts of the game.

Elden Ring is currently scheduled to arrive on Feb. 25, 2022, on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC, PS5, and PS4.