The creator of the high-profile Bloodborne 60fps patch, Lance McDonald, has revealed that he received a DMCA takedown notice from Sony Interactive Entertainment. In a tweet, McDonald explained that he was asked to remove all links to the patch he had shared online, and he complied with the request. He also referenced a YouTube video he created about the patch back in 2021, and shared an anecdote about a conversation with former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida. During their meeting, McDonald mentioned his work on the 60fps mod for Bloodborne, to which Yoshida responded with laughter.
Bloodborne, developed by FromSoftware and released on the PS4, continues to be a significant topic in the gaming community. Despite its initial success and widespread acclaim, Sony has not released any updates or next-gen patches to improve the game's frame rate from 30fps to 60fps. This lack of official support has led fans to demand a remaster or a sequel, leaving the modding community, including individuals like McDonald, to fill the void. Recently, advancements in PS4 emulation, such as those showcased by Digital Foundry with the ShadPS4 emulator, have enabled players to experience Bloodborne at 60fps on PC. This development might have prompted Sony's aggressive response. IGN has reached out to Sony for further comments on the matter.
In an interview with Kinda Funny Games, Shuhei Yoshida shared his personal theory on why Bloodborne has not received any updates or remasters. Yoshida, who has since left his first-party role at PlayStation, suggested that FromSoftware's director Hidetaka Miyazaki is protective of Bloodborne due to his deep attachment to the game. According to Yoshida, Miyazaki's busy schedule and reluctance to let others work on his creation might be the reason behind Sony's inaction, a theory that Yoshida emphasized was purely his own speculation and not based on any insider information.
Despite the passage of nearly a decade since its launch, Bloodborne remains untouched. In interviews, Miyazaki has often sidestepped questions about the game's future, frequently noting that FromSoftware does not own the IP. However, in a statement from February of the previous year, Miyazaki acknowledged that Bloodborne could benefit from being released on more modern hardware, hinting at potential future developments.
