Bloodborne Hits 10-Year Milestone: Devotees Rally for Yharnam Revival as Sequel Dreams Linger

Bloodborne reaches its 10th birthday today, with enthusiasts marking the occasion through another community-led journey back to Yharnam.

FromSoftware's standout title for PlayStation 4 debuted on March 24, 2015, solidifying the Japanese studio's reputation as a top-tier creator. Widespread praise and strong sales ensued, making a successor akin to the Dark Souls follow-ups feel like a sure bet.

Yet, a decade later, there's been zero progress. What stops Sony from delivering a remaster for today's consoles, a true sequel, or even a simple upgrade to enable smooth 60fps play? Devotees have pleaded for more Bloodborne content from day one. The ongoing lack of response stands out as one of gaming's most baffling corporate choices.

A few months back, some insight emerged. After stepping away from Sony, industry veteran Shuhei Yoshida shared his take on why Bloodborne remains untouched. Let's note upfront: this reflects Yoshida's personal view, as he emphasized during his chat with Kinda Funny Games, not any confidential details or ongoing discussions at Sony.

“Bloodborne tops the list of fan requests,” Yoshida noted. “Folks question our inaction, from basic patches to full remasters. It looks straightforward, doesn't it? We're no strangers to remakes, after all, which leaves some folks irritated.

“This is just my hunch on the matter. Since leaving the core team, I'm out of the loop, but I recall how deeply Miyazaki cherished Bloodborne and his vision for it. He's likely keen on revisiting it, yet with his triumphs and packed schedule, he can't tackle it personally and prefers no one else handles it. I suspect the PlayStation crew honors that stance. Pure speculation, mind you—no hidden facts here.”

Miyazaki refers to Hidetaka Miyazaki, FromSoftware's leader. His track record shines, from the groundbreaking Dark Souls lineup to the blockbuster Elden Ring, which elevated the studio further. That success even sparked a multiplayer offshoot set for release this year.

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It's no surprise Miyazaki stays swamped, overseeing various endeavors and steering the company. Post-2015 Bloodborne launch, he helmed Dark Souls 3, followed by Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice in 2019 for Activision, and then Elden Ring with Bandai Namco. Future plans? He hasn't shared yet.

During discussions, Miyazaki typically sidesteps Bloodborne queries, noting FromSoftware lacks ownership of the property. Still, last February, he acknowledged the title could shine on updated systems.

Over time, enthusiasts have stepped in with mods to enhance the original PS4 version. Sony, however, frowns on these efforts. Renowned modder Lance McDonald, behind the 60fps tweak, shared in January that Sony demanded he pull download links, complying after a notice issued years post-release.

A week on, Lilith Walther, mind behind Nightmare Kart—once dubbed Bloodborne Kart—and the striking Bloodborne PSX recreation, posted about a copyright strike on an older YouTube clip of her work.

Lately, supporters leveraged PS4 emulation for a near-remaster feel on computers. Experts from Digital Foundry showcased footage on a key advance in PS4 emulation through ShadPS4, allowing seamless 60fps runs from beginning to end. Might this spark Sony's pushback? We reached out for their side, but no reply came.

With little else to draw from, Bloodborne loyalists host their own Return to Yharnam gatherings. The latest starts now, on the game's decade mark, urging players to craft fresh avatars, call in random allies and foes, and drop notes signaling involvement in this fan-fueled push.

This might remain the sole avenue for immersion in Bloodborne's realm going forward.