Today marks the 10th anniversary of Bloodborne, and fans are celebrating by organizing another Return to Yharnam community event. FromSoftware's masterpiece for the PlayStation 4, released on March 24, 2015, solidified the Japanese developer's reputation as one of the greatest in the industry. The game garnered both critical and commercial success, leading many to expect a sequel similar to the Dark Souls series. However, a decade later, we've seen no remaster, sequel, or next-gen update that would bring Bloodborne to 60fps. The ongoing silence from Sony on this matter continues to baffle the gaming community.
Earlier this year, former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida offered some insight into the situation. In an interview with Kinda Funny Games, Yoshida shared his personal theory, emphasizing that it was not based on insider knowledge. He stated, "Bloodborne has always been the most asked thing. And people wonder why we haven’t really done anything, even an update or a remaster. Should be easy, right? The company is known for doing so many remasters, right, some people get frustrated."Yoshida's theory revolves around Hidetaka Miyazaki, the head of FromSoftware and creator of Bloodborne. He suggested that Miyazaki's deep attachment to the game, combined with his busy schedule managing multiple successful projects, might be why there hasn't been a follow-up. Yoshida speculated, "I have only my personal theory to that situation. I left first-party so I don’t know what’s going on, but my theory is, you know because I remember, you know, Miyazaki-san really, really loved Bloodborne, you know, what he created. So I think he is interested, but he’s so successful and he’s so busy, so he doesn’t want, he cannot do himself, but he does not want anyone else to touch it. So that’s my theory. And the PlayStation team respect his wish. So that’s my guess, right? Theory. I am not revealing any secret information, to be clear."
Miyazaki has indeed been busy since Bloodborne, directing Dark Souls 3, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and the blockbuster Elden Ring. His focus has shifted to new projects, including a multiplayer spin-off of Elden Ring. When questioned about Bloodborne, Miyazaki often points out that FromSoftware does not own the IP. However, he has acknowledged that the game could benefit from being released on more modern hardware.
In the absence of official updates, modders have stepped in, creating fan-made projects to enhance the Bloodborne experience. Yet, Sony has not been supportive of these efforts. For instance, mod creator Lance McDonald received a takedown notice from Sony Interactive Entertainment for his Bloodborne 60fps patch, while Lilith Walther faced a copyright claim for her Bloodborne PSX demake and Nightmare Kart. Meanwhile, tech enthusiasts at Digital Foundry reported a breakthrough in PS4 emulation via ShadPS4, enabling Bloodborne to run at 60fps on PC, which might have prompted Sony's aggressive response. IGN reached out to Sony for comment, but received no reply.
With no official word from Sony, Bloodborne fans have taken matters into their own hands, organizing Return to Yharnam community events. The latest event, coinciding with the game's 10th anniversary, encourages players to start a new character, summon as many co-operators and invaders as possible, and leave in-game messages indicating their participation in this community celebration. As it stands, these events may be the closest fans get to experiencing more of Bloodborne's world.
The Best PS4 Games (Summer 2020 Update)
26 Images
