Today marks the 10th anniversary of Bloodborne, and fans are commemorating this milestone with another "Return to Yharnam" community event. Launched on March 24, 2015, FromSoftware's PlayStation 4 masterpiece not only solidified the studio's reputation as a top-tier developer but also garnered significant critical and commercial success. Given its acclaim, many expected a sequel or at least a current-gen remaster or update to enable 60fps gameplay. However, despite fervent fan requests, Sony has remained silent on the matter, leaving the future of Bloodborne shrouded in mystery.
Earlier this year, Shuhei Yoshida, a legendary figure at PlayStation, offered his personal perspective on the absence of Bloodborne updates after leaving Sony. In an interview with Kinda Funny Games, Yoshida emphasized that his views were not based on insider knowledge but rather his own speculation. He mentioned that Hidetaka Miyazaki, the head of FromSoftware and the creative force behind Bloodborne, might be too busy and protective of his creation to allow others to work on it. Yoshida suggested that Sony respects Miyazaki's stance, which could explain the lack of a remaster or sequel.
Miyazaki's success extends beyond Bloodborne, with the Dark Souls series and the recent blockbuster Elden Ring boosting FromSoftware's profile. The studio is also gearing up for a multiplayer spin-off of Elden Ring this year. Miyazaki's busy schedule, which included directing Dark Souls 3, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and Elden Ring, likely leaves little room for revisiting Bloodborne. Although Miyazaki has acknowledged that Bloodborne could benefit from modern hardware, he often redirects questions about the game to FromSoftware's lack of ownership over the IP.
In the absence of official updates, fan-made projects have attempted to enhance the Bloodborne experience. However, Sony has not been supportive, as evidenced by the DMCA takedown notices sent to modders like Lance McDonald for his 60fps mod and Lilith Walther for her Nightmare Kart and Bloodborne PSX demake projects. Meanwhile, advancements in PS4 emulation, highlighted by Digital Foundry's coverage of ShadPS4's breakthrough, have enabled players to experience Bloodborne at 60fps on PC, potentially prompting Sony's aggressive stance.
With no official word from Sony, fans continue to take matters into their own hands. Today's "Return to Yharnam" event invites players to start fresh characters, engage with as many co-op partners and invaders as possible, and leave in-game messages to signal their participation in the community celebration. As Bloodborne turns 10, it seems these community-driven events might be the only way fans can continue to celebrate and engage with this beloved title.
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