Bloodborne Fan Project Halted Amidst Copyright Concerns

The Bloodborne PSX demake, a fan-created project, is the latest to face a copyright claim from Sony Interactive Entertainment, following last week's takedown of the Bloodborne 60fps mod.

Lance McDonald, the creator of the well-known Bloodborne 60fps mod, announced a DMCA takedown notice from Sony, four years after the mod's release, demanding the removal of online links to the patch.

Lilith Walther, creator of the Bloodborne PSX demake and Nightmare Kart (formerly Bloodborne Kart), reported a copyright claim by MarkScan Enforcement on a YouTube video showcasing the demake. McDonald confirmed MarkScan, a company contracted by Sony, issued both takedown notices. He expressed confusion and frustration over Sony's actions.

Bloodborne's continued absence from next-gen platforms remains a significant point of contention among fans. While a 60fps patch, remaster, or sequel is highly sought after, Sony has remained silent. Recent breakthroughs in PS4 emulation, enabling 60fps gameplay on PC via ShadPS4, have fueled speculation about a potential connection to Sony's aggressive takedown actions. Sony has yet to comment on this theory.

McDonald proposed a "copium theory"—that Sony's actions are a preemptive measure to clear the way for an official 60fps remake, preventing conflicts with fan projects in search results. He suggests this is necessary for trademarking phrases like "Bloodborne 60fps" and "Bloodborne remake."

Despite these actions, Sony hasn't confirmed any plans to revisit Bloodborne. Former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida offered a personal theory, suggesting Hidetaka Miyazaki's deep attachment to Bloodborne and his busy schedule prevent him from authorizing a remaster or update, and the PlayStation team respects his wishes.

Bloodborne remains largely untouched almost a decade after its release. While Miyazaki has often deflected questions about the game's future, citing FromSoftware's lack of IP ownership, he did acknowledge in February 2023 that a release on modern hardware would be beneficial. The situation leaves Bloodborne's future uncertain, despite the fervent desire of its fanbase for a return to this beloved title.

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