Speculation surrounding a potential Bloodborne remake or sequel surged after the game's prominent feature in PlayStation's 30th-anniversary video. Let's delve into the latest news and the recent PS5 update.
PlayStation's 30th Anniversary: A Fitting Finale
Bloodborne Closes Out the Anniversary Trailer
The highly anticipated PS4 exclusive, *Bloodborne*, took center stage in PlayStation's 30th-anniversary trailer, accompanied by the caption, "It's about persistence." While other titles also appeared, the inclusion of *Bloodborne* ignited fervent fan speculation about a potential remaster or sequel.Set to a unique rendition of The Cranberries' "Dreams," the trailer showcased PlayStation's most iconic games, including Ghost of Tsushima, God of War, Helldivers 2, and more. Each game featured a thematic caption; for instance, Final Fantasy VII had "It's about fantasy," and Resident Evil, "It's about fear." However, Bloodborne's appearance and the "It's about persistence" caption fueled intense fan excitement.
Despite the lack of concrete information before and after the trailer's release, fans remain hopeful for a Bloodborne 2 or a remastered version with enhanced visuals and a smoother 60fps experience. This isn't the first time such speculation has arisen; on August 17th, PlayStation Italia's Instagram account featured iconic Bloodborne locations, sparking a similar wave of anticipation.
While Bloodborne concluded the anniversary trailer, the "persistence" caption might simply acknowledge the game's notoriously challenging gameplay, rather than hinting at upcoming updates.
PS5's Latest Update: UI Customization Arrives
To commemorate its 30th anniversary, Sony released a PS5 update featuring a limited-time PS1 boot-up sequence and customizable themes inspired by past consoles. This includes themes for the 30th anniversary and various PlayStation consoles (PS1 to PS4), offering a nostalgic trip down memory lane for loyal fans.
The update allows PS5 users to personalize their home screen's design and sound effects based on older consoles. After installing the update, navigate to PS5 Settings, select "PlayStation 30th Anniversary," and choose "Appearance and Sound" to customize your home screen.
While fans appreciate this surprise update, particularly the return of the PS4 UI, its limited-time availability has caused disappointment. Some are even willing to pay for a permanent version, while others see it as a potential test for broader UI customization on PS5 in the future.
Sony's New Handheld Console in Development?
The speculation extends beyond the PS5 update. On December 2nd, 2024, Digital Foundry on YouTube corroborated Bloomberg's report about PlayStation's upcoming handheld console. Bloomberg's November 25th article claimed Sony is developing a handheld device for PS5 games. While still in its early stages, Sony aims to enter the portable gaming market, currently dominated by Nintendo Switch.
Digital Foundry's Senior Staff Writer, John Linneman, stated, "We actually heard about this handheld some months ago from a couple of sources specifically…it’s interesting that this finally, sort of, started to make its rounds because it just sort of confirmed what we had seen and heard off the record."
The panelists also discussed that both Microsoft and Sony entering the portable gaming market is a logical move, given the rise of smartphone gaming. This suggests their handheld devices could coexist with mobile gaming.
While Microsoft is open about its interest in a handheld device, Sony remains tight-lipped. Despite Digital Foundry's confirmation, it could take years before seeing these devices from Microsoft and Sony, as they need to create affordable yet graphically superior consoles to compete with Nintendo.
Meanwhile, Nintendo appears ahead in the portable gaming race. Shuntaro Furukawa, Nintendo's president, announced on Twitter (X) in May 2024 that more information about the Nintendo Switch's successor would be revealed within the fiscal year.
