On Bloodborne’s 10th Birthday, and With Neither a Sequel nor a Next-Gen Update in Sight, Fans Once Again Organize a Return to Yharnam

Today marks the 10th anniversary of Bloodborne, and fans are commemorating this milestone with a fresh "Return to Yharnam" community event. Launched on March 24, 2015, by FromSoftware for the PlayStation 4, Bloodborne not only solidified the studio's reputation as a top-tier developer but also garnered widespread critical and commercial success. Given its popularity, many expected a sequel or at least a remaster or next-gen update to bring the game to 60fps. However, Sony has remained silent on any follow-up to Bloodborne, leaving fans puzzled and eager for more.

Earlier this year, following his departure from Sony, PlayStation veteran Shuhei Yoshida offered some insight into the situation. In an interview with Kinda Funny Games, Yoshida shared his personal theory, emphasizing it was not based on insider knowledge. He suggested that Hidetaka Miyazaki, the head of FromSoftware and the mastermind behind Bloodborne, might be hesitant to let anyone else work on the game due to his deep attachment to it. Yoshida believes that Miyazaki's busy schedule with successful projects like the Dark Souls series and the recent blockbuster Elden Ring, which is also set to receive a multiplayer spin-off, might be a factor in Sony's decision to respect Miyazaki's wishes and not pursue a remaster or sequel.

Since the release of Bloodborne, Miyazaki has directed several acclaimed titles including Dark Souls 3, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and Elden Ring. While Miyazaki has acknowledged that Bloodborne could benefit from modern hardware, he often sidesteps questions about a potential sequel or update, citing FromSoftware's lack of ownership over the IP. Meanwhile, modders have attempted to enhance the Bloodborne experience on PS4, but Sony has responded with takedown notices, as seen in the cases of Lance McDonald's 60fps mod and Lilith Walther's projects like Nightmare Kart and the Bloodborne PSX demake.

In a recent development, fans have managed to run Bloodborne on PC at 60fps using PS4 emulation technology, as highlighted by Digital Foundry. This advancement might have prompted Sony's more aggressive stance on fan-made content. IGN sought a comment from Sony, but there has been no response.

With no official updates forthcoming, Bloodborne enthusiasts have taken matters into their own hands, organizing community events like the current "Return to Yharnam." Today, on the game's 10th anniversary, fans are encouraged to start new characters, engage with as many co-op players and invaders as possible, and leave in-game messages to show their participation in this community initiative. As it stands, these fan-driven events might be the closest thing to new Bloodborne content for the foreseeable future.

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