The Duskbloods Closed Network Test Checklist

The Duskbloods Closed Network Test (CNT) is invitation-only. Nintendo opens registration for a limited window, selects participants, and assigns one of five four-hour sessions in August 2026. Missing a prerequisite — wrong account region, lapsed Nintendo Switch Online (NSO), or an incomplete survey — can disqualify you even if you own a Nintendo Switch 2. Use this checklist sequentially; mark each row before you rely on the next.

Official details live on Nintendo’s CNT site and our Network Test hub. This page consolidates steps cited across Nintendo news posts, signup FAQ text, and coverage of prior FromSoftware network tests. It is not legal advice and cannot guarantee selection.

Phase 1 — Hardware and membership (before July signup)

Complete these items before the July 2026 application window closes. Nintendo’s form expects you already meet baseline requirements.

Step	Check	Why it matters
1	Nintendo Switch 2 console available	CNT software runs only on Switch 2 hardware — not original Switch models.
2	Active Nintendo Switch Online membership	Required for application and for online features during the test. Renew before applying if expiry falls inside July–August.
3	Nintendo Account linked to the console	Sign-in errors during signup usually trace to missing linkage or mismatched profiles.
4	System firmware updated	Avoid day-one update queues that eat preload or session time.
5	Stable internet plan	The test evaluates network environments; mobile hotspots are a last resort. See Network Test requirements.

If any row is unchecked, pause here. Fix membership or hardware before spending time on the application essay fields.

Phase 2 — Account region alignment

Region mismatches are the most common self-inflicted signup failure reported in Nintendo Life’s CNT guide. Nintendo filters eligibility by country/region tied to your account and console.

Step	Check	Action
6	Console region matches your residence	Settings → System → Region should reflect where you legally reside and play.
7	Nintendo Account country/region consistent	On Nintendo’s signup site, open the dropdown and confirm Country/region setting is ticked if you see the error mentioned in official walkthroughs.
8	eShop access works	Attempt a free transaction or view eShop headers to confirm the account is not soft-banned or incomplete.
9	Age 17+ verified	Nintendo lists minimum age requirements for network tests; child accounts need parental flow and may be ineligible.

Document screenshots of successful eShop login if you historically switch regions — support tickets are slow relative to July deadlines.

Phase 3 — Application window (July 2026)

Nintendo announced registration for The Duskbloods Network Test during July 2026, closing before August selection. Exact clock times vary by region; our Network Test schedule summarizes milestones.

Step	Check	Notes
10	Bookmark official CNT URL	Apply only through Nintendo/FromSoftware domains — not third-party forms.
11	Submit during open hours	Late applications are not queued; the window hard-closes.
12	Complete survey willingness honestly	Tests often include post-session questionnaires about connectivity and balance. Refusing may affect future invites.
13	Indicate realistic session availability	Cross-reference Session Timezone Tool so you do not pick a 4:00 a.m. slot by mistake.
14	Save confirmation email	Store proof of submission until selection day.

FromSoftware and Nintendo stress that signup does not guarantee access. Treat confirmation as “application received,” not “code delivered.”

Phase 4 — Selection and preload (early August 2026)

Successful applicants receive notification around August 7, 2026 (times vary by region — verify on Network Test schedule). Watch spam folders for Nintendo sender addresses.

Step	Check	Details
15	Selection email/code received	Follow after selection steps and redeem CNT code guide; codes are typically single-use.
16	Accept any NDA or conduct rules	CNT materials may prohibit streaming, screenshots, or Capture Button use.
17	Preload on August 18, 2026 (if instructed)	Use preload hub page and how to preload guide so session start is gameplay, not a large download queue.
18	Confirm assigned session date/time	Map PDT anchor to local time via Session Timezone Tool.
19	Test login once before session	Verify NSO still active and account not flagged.

If you are not selected, you can still follow News for future tests or the 2026 launch window — absence of a CNT code is not a ban from buying the retail game later.

Phase 5 — Session day execution

Four hours pass quickly in PvPvE matches. Prep the environment, not just the account.

Step	Check	Tip
20	Calendar block with time zone label	Include converted start/end from your timezone row.
21	Controller charged; mic policy understood	Nintendo may disable or restrict voice — read session brief.
22	Wired network if possible	Wi‑Fi congestion skews network test data and frustrates teammates.
23	Note-taking plan for feedback	Surveys ask specific connectivity questions — jot server region and error codes.
24	Read How to prepare for the network test	Focus on hub loop, eight-player matches, and Victory Point experiments.

Remember: CNT builds are pre-release. Crashes, balance swings, and disabled features are expected deliverables of the test, not retail defects.

Quick printable summary

Copy this abbreviated list to notes app before July signup:

• Switch 2 + updated firmware
• Active NSO + linked Nintendo Account
• Region/country settings aligned (17+ age)
• Applied during July 2026 window + saved confirmation
• Survey willingness acknowledged
• Session times chosen with timezone tool
• Selection email received (or backup plan if denied)
• Preload completed August 18 if selected
• Session calendar block + stable network
• Guide read for in-test goals

Where this checklist fits in the wiki

• Tools Hub — sibling helpers
• Network Test requirements — deep eligibility text
• After selection — August 7 results and code delivery
• Preload reference — August 18 download window
• How to redeem CNT code and how to preload — step-by-step guides
• Guides hub — gameplay once you are inside
• News hub — timeline from April 2025 reveal to CNT

The Duskbloods remains unreleased with a 2026 launch window. Treat this checklist as living documentation — update your personal copy whenever Nintendo revises CNT rules.