Dark Souls PVP servers to remain offline through Elden Ring launch

Dark Souls: Remastered, 2, and 3 PVP servers have been offline due to an exploit that potentially allows outside users to access player PCs.

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Currently, Dark Souls: Remastered, Dark Souls 2, and Dark Souls 3 are missing a pretty key component in their overall play. Players cannot access multiplayer servers due to the discovery and sharing of a dangerous exploit that would potentially allow outside users to access a player’s computer through a seemingly kernel-level bug. Now, it would seem FromSoftware has extended its investigation into the matter to Elden Ring’s multiplayer and this new prioritization means all PVP across the FromSoftware pantheon will remain closed at least through Elden Ring’s launch.

FromSoftware updated players on the ongoing PVP server situation via a statement on the official Dark Souls Twitter, posted on February 9, 2022. According to the statement, FromSoftware is still investigation the issue, but given a similar multiplayer system exists in Elden Ring, it has expanded the investigation to that game. As Elden Ring is FromSoftware’s next major launch, that means ensuring its safety and stability in online play will put other games on the backburner. FromSoftware has confirmed that Dark Souls PVP servers will remain offline at least through Elden Ring’s launch date.

It was back in late January that players discovered the remote code execution (RCE) exploit in the Dark Souls games and brought it to FromSoftware’s attention, prompting the shutdown and investigation of these issues.

“Due to the time required to set up proper testing environments, online service for the Dark Souls series on PC will not resume until after the release of Elden Ring,” FromSoftware’s statement reads. “We will continue to do everything we can to bring back these services as soon as possible.”

It should come as little surprise that in all of this, FromSoftware is prioritizing Elden Ring. The upcoming collaboration between director Hidetaka Miyazaki and George R.R. Martin has been hotly anticipated and will be one of FromSoftware’s most ambitious releases. It’s a shame for Dark Souls fans that just want to either engage in player-versus-player or need a hand killing a boss or two, but hopefully Elden Ring’s fast-approaching release date on the 2022 gaming calendar means players won’t be waiting long for a solution.

Senior News Editor

TJ Denzer is a player and writer with a passion for games that has dominated a lifetime. He found his way to the Shacknews roster in late 2019 and has worked his way to Senior News Editor since. Between news coverage, he also aides notably in livestream projects like the indie game-focused Indie-licious, the Shacknews Stimulus Games, and the Shacknews Dump. You can reach him at tj.denzer@shacknews.com and also find him on Twitter @JohnnyChugs.

From The Chatty
  • reply
    February 9, 2022 7:20 AM

    TJ Denzer posted a new article, Dark Souls PVP servers to remain offline through Elden Ring launch

    • reply
      February 9, 2022 10:51 AM

      Man, worried elden ring servers might not be up for PC at launch......I know they aren't saying that but concern...

      • reply
        February 9, 2022 11:14 AM

        Nah, they’re switching to the 3rd party security that Fortnite and Apex use: http://www.shacknews.com/chatty?id=41108756

        They’re focused on getting Elden Ring out the door. Although I’d also say it seems like a bit of a strategic move to push holdouts who don’t want to purchase ER in the launch window to just pony up the cash.

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      February 9, 2022 11:54 AM

      Wait, so is now the time to go play DS3 coop without getting invaded non stop?

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        February 9, 2022 12:05 PM

        You could always do that just by restricting it's access to the internet through windows firewall

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        February 9, 2022 12:15 PM

        I assumed all multiplayer functionality was turned off temporarily. What would make a random coop summon any safer than a pvp invader as far as remote exploits go?

        I know the story points out pvp servers being disabled, but don't their servers handle oth coop and pvp, as in they're one in the same (one and the same?)

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          February 9, 2022 3:15 PM

          This makes sense. It's really not any different. I tried to do a full coop playthrough with a friend and the constant stream of invaders made us quit. This situation was sounding promising haha.

      • reply
        February 9, 2022 3:06 PM

        You can still summon NPCs at most bosses.

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