FromSoftware's action game The Duskbloods is launching as a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive in 2026, but the platform debate surrounding the release has inadvertently given rise to an internet joke involving a literal steam release.
Quick Facts
- Developer/Publisher: FromSoftware
- Platform: Nintendo Switch 2
- Release Year: 2026
- Players: 1-8 players online multiplayer
The Zork 'Steam Release' Joke
While diehard fans continue to debate the exclusivity of FromSoftware's upcoming 1-to-8 player online title on Nintendo's new hardware, community focus has landed heavily on Zork. The character appears in a steampunk suit of armor and has quickly become the game's unofficial mascot.
Players sharing clips online have seized on one of Zork's specific animations. Titled 'Steam Release', the emote simply has the character vent steam from various parts of his diving suit. The exact description in the menu notes that it gives "the impression of anger, though the truth of the matter is unclear."
Exclusivity and Future Prospects
The ironic coincidence has circulated widely on X and Reddit, poking fun at the ongoing community split over the Switch 2 hardware requirement. While the network test has faced server issues, the exclusivity itself follows a long history of platform-exclusive titles from the developer, ranging from Demon's Souls and Bloodborne to older console releases like Frame Gride.
Whether The Duskbloods will eventually follow the path of other formerly exclusive titles like Monster Hunter: Rise and reach other platforms remains unconfirmed. FromSoftware appears to own the IP, and director Hidetaka Miyazaki chose to partner with Nintendo because they were receptive to his pitch, but players should currently expect the title strictly on Switch 2.