The Bloodborne PSX demake, a fan-made project, is the latest to face a copyright claim from Sony Interactive Entertainment. This follows last week's takedown of the popular Bloodborne 60fps mod by creator Lance McDonald, four years after its release. Lilith Walther, creator of the Bloodborne PSX demake and Nightmare Kart (formerly Bloodborne Kart), reported that a YouTube video showcasing the demake received a copyright claim from MarkScan Enforcement, a company confirmed by McDonald to be working for Sony. McDonald expressed surprise at this action, noting MarkScan also issued the DMCA for his 60fps patch.
Bloodborne's continued absence from next-gen platforms fuels fan frustration. While a 60fps patch is highly sought after, along with a remaster or sequel, fans have recently achieved near-remaster quality on PC via PS4 emulation, as highlighted by Digital Foundry. This advancement may have prompted Sony's more aggressive approach to fan projects. Sony has yet to comment on this speculation.
McDonald theorizes Sony's actions are a preemptive measure to clear the way for an official 60fps remake, suggesting trademarking concerns might be involved. However, Sony has offered no official indication of any future Bloodborne plans. Former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida offered a personal theory that Miyazaki, the creator, is protective of Bloodborne and doesn't want others to work on it, a sentiment respected by the PlayStation team.
Despite Miyazaki's previous statements deflecting questions about Bloodborne due to FromSoftware's lack of IP ownership, he did acknowledge in February 2023 that a release on modern hardware would benefit the game. The future of Bloodborne remains uncertain, almost a decade after its initial release.
