FromSoftware has temporarily suspended online multiplayer services for Dark Souls 2 and Dark Souls 3. The shutdown affects all platforms, including PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. The company announced the disruption in a post on X on October 30, citing an undisclosed “server issue.” The company stated it would provide an updated timeline for server restoration once it had more information.
The outage impacts all standard online features for both titles. This includes player invasions, cooperative play, and the ability to leave or read messages in the game world. The closure is indefinite, meaning players do not know when the servers will return to normal operation.
Scope of the Outage
This incident differs from previous disruptions in the series. In early 2022, a catastrophic remote code execution vulnerability forced FromSoftware to shut down servers for all Dark Souls games. That security breach primarily affected PC players and kept servers offline for months. The current issue is limited to Dark Souls 2 and 3. It also affects all platforms, not just PC. This narrower scope suggests the problem may be less severe than the 2022 security breach.
The 2022 shutdown was a response to a critical security flaw. This current outage is described simply as a server issue. The company has not confirmed if the problem is technical or related to security. Players must wait for official updates before the services resume.
Modded Alternatives Remain Active
PC players have a workaround for the downtime. The Seamless Co-op mod, created by modder Yui, runs on independent servers. These servers are separate from the official FromSoftware infrastructure. The mod allows players to continue cooperative play without relying on the official network.
Dark Souls 2 received Seamless Co-op support in late September. Dark Souls 3 has had the mod available for a longer period. The mod enables shared progress and prevents disconnections when a player dies or defeats a boss. This allows friends to complete the games together despite the official server outage.
The mod provides a stable alternative for players who want to continue their campaigns. It does not restore the official invasion or message features. However, it keeps the cooperative aspect of the games functional during the shutdown.
FromSoftware has not commented on the specific cause of the server issue. The company continues to monitor the situation. Players are advised to check official channels for updates on the restoration timeline.
Source: PC Gamer
