Sony's copyright claims against Bloodborne fan projects are escalating. Following a DMCA takedown of the popular Bloodborne 60fps mod last week, Lilith Walther, creator of the impressive Bloodborne PSX demake, reported a copyright claim on a YouTube video showcasing her work, issued by MarkScan Enforcement, a company reportedly hired by Sony.
Lance McDonald, the creator of the Bloodborne 60fps mod, confirmed MarkScan's involvement, noting they were the same entity behind the DMCA takedown of his mod. He expressed bewilderment at Sony's actions, tweeting, "What the hell are they doing??"
The timing coincides with recent advancements in PS4 emulation, notably ShadPS4, enabling near-remaster quality 60fps gameplay on PC. This has fueled speculation that Sony's aggressive approach might be a preemptive measure related to a potential official remake or remaster. McDonald posited a "copium theory" suggesting Sony is clearing the way for an official 60fps release to avoid search result conflicts with fan projects.
Sony remains silent on the matter, offering no official statement. However, former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida offered a personal theory, suggesting that Hidetaka Miyazaki, Bloodborne's creator, desires to maintain creative control and doesn't want others to handle a potential remaster or sequel. Yoshida emphasized this was merely speculation.
Despite Miyazaki's previous statements indicating FromSoftware's lack of IP ownership and his past reluctance to discuss Bloodborne's future, he did acknowledge in February 2023 that the game would benefit from a release on more modern hardware. The future of Bloodborne remains uncertain, leaving fans in a state of anticipation and frustration nearly a decade after its initial release.
