Today marks a significant milestone for fans of FromSoftware's masterpiece, Bloodborne, as it celebrates its 10th anniversary. Enthusiasts are coming together to celebrate with yet another "Return to Yharnam" community event, a testament to the game's enduring popularity and the strong bond within its community.
Launched on March 24, 2015, for the PlayStation 4, Bloodborne not only solidified FromSoftware's reputation as a top-tier developer but also garnered widespread critical and commercial success. Given this triumph, many expected a follow-up akin to the Dark Souls sequels. However, a decade later, fans are still left wondering why Sony hasn't produced a current-gen remaster, a sequel, or even a next-gen update to allow for a smoother 60fps experience. The silence from Sony on this front remains one of the most perplexing decisions in the gaming industry.
Earlier this year, some clarity came from Shuhei Yoshida, a PlayStation legend who recently left Sony. In an interview with Kinda Funny Games, Yoshida shared his theory on the absence of a Bloodborne follow-up. He emphasized that this was his personal opinion and not based on any insider information. Yoshida suggested that Hidetaka Miyazaki, FromSoftware's president and the creative force behind Bloodborne, might be too busy with other successful projects to personally oversee a remaster or sequel. Moreover, Yoshida speculated that Miyazaki's deep affection for Bloodborne might make him reluctant to let anyone else work on it, a sentiment respected by the PlayStation team.
Miyazaki, celebrated for his work on the influential Dark Souls series and the recent blockbuster Elden Ring, has indeed been occupied with multiple high-profile projects. Following Bloodborne, he directed Dark Souls 3, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice for Activision, and Elden Ring for Bandai Namco. His future plans remain undisclosed, but he has acknowledged that Bloodborne could benefit from a release on more modern hardware.
In the absence of official updates, the community has taken matters into their own hands. Modders have attempted to enhance the Bloodborne experience, but Sony has responded with takedowns, as seen with the 60fps mod by Lance McDonald and the Nightmare Kart and Bloodborne PSX demake projects by Lilith Walther. Additionally, recent advancements in PS4 emulation, highlighted by Digital Foundry, have allowed fans to experience Bloodborne at 60fps on PC, possibly prompting Sony's aggressive stance on unauthorized modifications.
As Sony remains silent on the future of Bloodborne, fans continue to organize community events like the "Return to Yharnam" initiative. Today's event encourages players to start fresh characters, engage with as many co-op partners and invaders as possible, and leave in-game messages to signify their participation in this community-driven celebration. While the future of Bloodborne remains uncertain, the dedication of its fanbase ensures that the spirit of Yharnam lives on.
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