Sony Issues DMCA to Bloodborne 60fps Patch Creator: Timing Questioned

The creator of the high-profile Bloodborne 60fps patch, Lance McDonald, has announced that he received a DMCA takedown notice from Sony Interactive Entertainment. In a tweet, McDonald revealed 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 released in 2021 about the patch and shared an amusing anecdote about meeting former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida. During their conversation, McDonald mentioned his work on the 60fps mod for Bloodborne, which elicited a hearty laugh from Yoshida.

Bloodborne, developed by FromSoftware, remains a significant enigma in the gaming world. Launched on the PS4 to widespread critical and commercial success, the game has not seen any official updates from Sony, leaving fans yearning for a next-gen patch to boost its frame rate from 30fps to 60fps, as well as calls for a remaster and a sequel. In the absence of official action, enthusiasts like McDonald have stepped in to fill the void. Recently, advancements in PS4 emulation, highlighted by Digital Foundry's coverage of the ShadPS4 emulator, have enabled fans to experience Bloodborne at 60fps on PC. This development might have prompted Sony's aggressive response, though IGN has reached out to Sony for further comment.

In an interview with Kinda Funny Games earlier this month, Yoshida shared his personal theory on why Bloodborne has not received any updates or remasters. He suggested that FromSoftware's director, Hidetaka Miyazaki, who deeply cherishes the game, might be too busy to work on it himself and unwilling to let others handle it. Yoshida emphasized that this is merely his theory and not based on insider information.

Despite nearly a decade passing since its initial release, Bloodborne remains untouched by official updates. However, there is a glimmer of hope as Miyazaki has acknowledged in past interviews that the game could benefit from being released on more modern hardware, although he often deflects direct questions about the game's future, citing that FromSoftware does not own the IP.