Fans Revisit Yharnam on Bloodborne's 10th Anniversary Amid Sequel and Update Absence

Today marks the 10th anniversary of Bloodborne, FromSoftware's iconic PlayStation 4 game released on March 24, 2015. This milestone has fans buzzing, and they're rallying together for another "Return to Yharnam" community event. Bloodborne not only solidified FromSoftware's reputation as a leading developer but also garnered widespread critical and commercial success. Given its impact, the anticipation for a sequel, a remaster, or even a next-gen update to bring the game to 60fps has been palpable among fans. Yet, Sony's silence on any such developments remains one of gaming's most perplexing mysteries.

Earlier this year, insights into this silence came from Shuhei Yoshida, a PlayStation legend, who shared his theory on the matter during an interview with Kinda Funny Games. Yoshida, who has since left Sony's first-party division, emphasized that his perspective was purely speculative and not based on internal knowledge. He suggested that Hidetaka Miyazaki, the visionary behind FromSoftware, might be protective of Bloodborne. Yoshida theorized that Miyazaki, despite his affection for the game, is too busy with other projects and does not want anyone else to work on it. This respect for Miyazaki's wishes, Yoshida posits, could be why Sony has not moved forward with any updates or sequels.

Miyazaki's career post-Bloodborne has been incredibly prolific, directing Dark Souls 3, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and the blockbuster Elden Ring. With such a demanding schedule, and FromSoftware not owning the Bloodborne IP, Miyazaki's involvement in any future projects related to the game seems unlikely. However, he has acknowledged that Bloodborne could benefit from modern hardware.

In the absence of official updates, the modding community has stepped in, attempting to enhance the Bloodborne experience. Efforts like Lance McDonald's 60fps mod and Lilith Walther's projects such as Nightmare Kart and the Bloodborne PSX demake have faced resistance from Sony, with takedown notices issued for these fan-made efforts.

Meanwhile, tech enthusiasts using PS4 emulators have made significant progress. Digital Foundry highlighted a breakthrough with ShadPS4, enabling Bloodborne to run at 60fps on PC from start to finish. This development prompted questions about Sony's response, but the company has yet to comment.

With no official word on Bloodborne's future, fans are left to celebrate its legacy through community events like today's "Return to Yharnam." Participants are encouraged to start fresh characters, engage with as many co-op partners and invaders as possible, and share in-game messages about the event. As fans continue to show their dedication, it remains to be seen if this will be the only way they can experience Bloodborne moving forward.

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