FromSoftware informs fans that online functionality won't be returning to the PC version of Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition, but these features have been restored for Dark Souls 2. The Dark Souls games are not primarily known as multiplayer titles, but their online features add options for those who've grown tired of facing the same bosses or for players who might struggle to beat the game on their own. Both summoning and invasions in Dark Souls are seen as key elements of the games for a lot of fans.However, throughout 2022, there have been multiple problems with the online functionality for all three Dark Souls games. The issues began in January when a Dark Souls 3 exploit was discovered which caused FromSoftware to shut down the multiplayer functionality for that game. Since then, all three titles in the Dark Souls trilogy have had their online features turned off on PC, leaving players without the ability to summon their friends or invade others' worlds.Now, FromSoftware has given an update on the ongoing issues in a series of tweets. First, in some good news, online features have been restored for the DirectX11 version of Dark Souls 2, and fixes for the DirectX9 version will be made available at a later date. Unfortunately for those who own a copy of the 2012 Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition, online features won't be returning to this version of the game largely due to an "aging system." FromSoftware apologizes for the long wait fans have been put through and asks for their understanding.
This does not mean that the first Dark Souls is now an offline-only experience, as FromSoftware is still working on fixes for the multiplayer features of Dark Souls Remastered, which released in 2018. However, it hasn't yet detailed when those fixes will be released. It also hasn't confirmed when Dark Souls 3's online functionality will be returning. Back in September, after the third game's multiplayer was restored for a short time, it was taken down again, as a confirmed issue arose with the Steam version of Dark Souls 3.
Of course, FromSoftware is also still working on post-launch updates for its most recently released title, Elden Ring, which means it might not necessarily be prioritizing fixing all three Dark Souls games on PC. Also, there's the possibility that FromSoftware is working on Elden Ring DLC, something that seems all the more likely following the discovery of files in the game's latest patch that hint at additional content .
Dark Souls Remastered is available now on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.