The Bloodborne PSX demake, a fan project inspired by the acclaimed game Bloodborne, has recently been subjected to a copyright claim, following in the footsteps of the Bloodborne 60fps mod, which faced a similar fate last week. Lance McDonald, the creator of the 60fps mod, revealed that he received a takedown notice from Sony Interactive Entertainment, compelling him to remove all links to his patch. This action came four years after the mod's initial release.
Lilith Walther, known for her work on Nightmare Kart (formerly Bloodborne Kart) and the visually striking Bloodborne PSX demake, reported that a YouTube video showcasing her demake was targeted with a copyright claim by MarkScan Enforcement. McDonald clarified that MarkScan is a company employed by Sony Interactive Entertainment, the same entity behind the DMCA takedown of his 60fps patch. He expressed his confusion and frustration over these actions, questioning Sony's motives.
Bloodborne, developed by FromSoftware and released on the PS4, has garnered a fervent fanbase eager for enhancements such as a next-gen patch to boost the game's frame rate from 30fps to 60fps, as well as a remaster or sequel. Recent advancements in PS4 emulation technology, highlighted by Digital Foundry's coverage of ShadPS4, have enabled fans to experience Bloodborne at 60fps on PC, leading some to speculate that this progress might have prompted Sony's aggressive stance.
In response to these developments, McDonald speculated that Sony might be preparing an official 60fps remake. He suggested that the DMCA takedowns could be a strategic move to clear search engine results, ensuring that future announcements about an official remake do not conflict with fan projects. However, Sony has not provided any official statements regarding plans to revisit Bloodborne.
Former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida offered his perspective on the lack of updates for Bloodborne, theorizing that FromSoftware's director, Hidetaka Miyazaki, might be reluctant to allow others to work on the game due to his deep attachment to it and his busy schedule with other successful projects. Yoshida emphasized that this is merely his personal theory and not based on insider information.
Despite the passage of nearly a decade since Bloodborne's launch, the game remains untouched by official updates. Miyazaki has hinted in interviews that the game could benefit from modern hardware, though he often redirects questions about Bloodborne to the fact that FromSoftware does not own the IP.
For fans and enthusiasts, the future of Bloodborne remains uncertain, with recent copyright actions by Sony adding to the intrigue and speculation surrounding this beloved title.
