Complex Rights Ownership Stalls Bloodborne Franchise Revival
Former PlayStation executive Shawn Layden highlights legal hurdles preventing a Bloodborne sequel or remaster.
1Persistent Fan Demand
Fans have spent a decade requesting a sequel or remaster for the Lovecraftian title Bloodborne. Despite the game maintaining stable sales figures since its original release, it remains locked to the PlayStation 4 hardware. While backward compatibility allows play on PlayStation 5, no dedicated modern version or follow-up has been officially announced.
2Fragmented Rights Ownership
Former PlayStation executive Shawn Layden identifies complex rights ownership as the primary barrier to a revival. The intellectual property is reportedly split between publisher PlayStation, developer FromSoftware, and parent company Kadokawa Corporation. Aligning these three distinct entities to approve a single project remains a significant logistical and legal challenge for stakeholders.
3Creative Integrity Concerns
Beyond legal hurdles, there are concerns regarding the preservation of the original game's unique phenomenon. Layden noted that reviving classic titles requires deep respect for the source material. Recreating the specific atmosphere and success of the original release is a difficult task that necessitates careful coordination between all involved corporate parties.
4Failed Remake Attempts
Reports suggest that Bluepoint Games previously pitched a remake of the title to PlayStation. However, the project did not proceed, reportedly because FromSoftware was not interested in the proposal. This highlights the developer's significant influence over the franchise's future, as they maintain a strong stance on how their intellectual property is handled.
5Miyazaki's Creative Control
Shuhei Yoshida previously suggested that director Hidetaka Miyazaki prefers to oversee any potential return to the series himself. Miyazaki is reportedly protective of the project he created and is currently occupied with other successful ventures. His busy schedule and desire for creative oversight effectively prevent external studios from touching the beloved game.
6Collaborative History
Shawn Layden described his tenure leading the PlayStation brand during the PS4 era as a fantastic period for collaboration. He worked closely with FromSoftware on both the original Demon's Souls and Bloodborne. This historical relationship underscores the mutual respect between the parties, even as current business complexities prevent new development projects.
7Alternative Media Expansion
While a game sequel remains stalled, the franchise is expanding into other media formats. An animated feature based on the game is currently in development, with YouTuber JackSepticEye attached as a co-producer. This project represents a rare instance of the intellectual property moving forward outside of the traditional interactive gaming medium.
8Future Industry Outlook
The situation surrounding this title serves as a case study for the difficulties of reviving legacy games with multi-party ownership. As stakeholders like Kadokawa and FromSoftware prioritize their own strategic goals, fans must wait for a rare alignment of creative availability and corporate consensus. No immediate resolution to these ownership hurdles is currently visible.
Original article: Eurogamer — Complex Rights Ownership Stalls Bloodborne Franchise Revival