The Bloodborne PSX demake has recently joined the ranks of fan projects targeted by copyright claims, following the takedown of the Bloodborne 60fps mod last week. Lance McDonald, the creator of the well-known Bloodborne 60fps mod, revealed that he received a DMCA notice from Sony Interactive Entertainment requesting the removal of links to his mod, which he complied with. This action came four years after the mod's initial release.
Lilith Walther, the mind behind Nightmare Kart (formerly Bloodborne Kart) and the visually striking Bloodborne PSX demake, took to Twitter to announce that a YouTube video showcasing the demake was hit with a copyright claim by MarkScan Enforcement. McDonald later confirmed that MarkScan is a company employed by Sony Interactive Entertainment, the same entity that issued the DMCA against his 60fps patch.
The situation has sparked speculation and frustration among fans, especially given Bloodborne's status as a beloved yet neglected title in the gaming world. Developed by FromSoftware and released on the PS4, Bloodborne received widespread acclaim but has seen no official updates or sequels from Sony. The community's desire for a next-gen patch to boost the game to 60fps, a remaster, or even a sequel remains unfulfilled.
Recent advancements in PS4 emulation, highlighted by Digital Foundry's coverage of a breakthrough with ShadPS4, have enabled fans to experience Bloodborne at 60fps on PC. This development might have prompted Sony's aggressive stance against fan projects, although Sony has not yet responded to IGN's request for comment on the matter.
Amidst these developments, McDonald shared a hopeful yet speculative theory that Sony's actions could be paving the way for an official 60fps remake announcement. He suggested that Sony might be clearing the digital space to avoid conflicts with fan projects when searching for terms like "bloodborne 60fps" and "Bloodborne remake."
However, despite these aggressive moves, Sony has not hinted at any plans to revisit Bloodborne. Former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida offered his perspective on the situation, theorizing that FromSoftware's creator, Hidetaka Miyazaki, might be protective of the game due to his personal attachment and busy schedule, which could explain the lack of updates or remasters.
As Bloodborne approaches its tenth anniversary, the game remains in limbo, with Miyazaki acknowledging in past interviews the potential benefits of a release on modern hardware, though always emphasizing that FromSoftware does not own the IP. The future of Bloodborne continues to be a topic of intense interest and speculation among its dedicated fanbase.
