Bloodborne PSX Demake Faces Copyright Claim, 60fps Mod Creator Offers 'Copium' Remake Theory

The Bloodborne PSX demake, a fan-made project inspired by the iconic FromSoftware game, has recently fallen victim to a copyright claim, following the same fate as the Bloodborne 60fps mod. Lance McDonald, the creator of the 60fps mod, revealed that he received a takedown notice from Sony Interactive Entertainment last week, four years after the mod's release. In response to the notice, McDonald removed all links to the patch from the internet.

Adding to the controversy, Lilith Walther, the creative mind behind Nightmare Kart and the Bloodborne PSX demake, announced on Twitter that a YouTube video showcasing the demake was targeted with a copyright claim by MarkScan Enforcement. McDonald further clarified that MarkScan is a company employed by Sony Interactive Entertainment, the same entity that issued the DMCA against his 60fps patch.

The situation has left many in the gaming community puzzled about Sony's motives. Bloodborne, originally released on the PS4 to widespread acclaim, has been a subject of fervent fan requests for updates, including a 60fps patch, a remaster, or even a sequel. However, Sony has remained silent on the matter, leaving fans to rely on community-driven solutions like the recent PS4 emulation breakthrough showcased by Digital Foundry, which enables the game to run at 60fps on PC.

Speculation about Sony's aggressive copyright actions has led McDonald to propose a "copium theory," suggesting that Sony might be preparing to announce an official 60fps remake. He posits that Sony's takedown efforts could be an attempt to clear the digital space for such an announcement, potentially related to trademark filings.

Despite these developments, there's no concrete evidence that Sony plans to revisit Bloodborne. Shuhei Yoshida, a former PlayStation executive, offered a personal theory in an interview with Kinda Funny Games, suggesting that Hidetaka Miyazaki, the game's creator, might be protective of Bloodborne's legacy and unwilling to let anyone else work on it, which could explain Sony's reluctance to pursue further development.

As Bloodborne approaches its tenth anniversary, the game remains untouched by official updates, leaving fans hopeful yet uncertain about its future. Miyazaki has acknowledged in past interviews that the game could benefit from modern hardware, but with FromSoftware not owning the IP, the path forward remains unclear.