Creator of Bloodborne 60fps Patch Says Sony Has Sent Him a DMCA Takedown — but Why Now?

The creator of a popular Bloodborne 60fps patch has received a DMCA takedown notice from Sony. Lance McDonald, a well-known video game modder, announced the news on Twitter, stating he removed all online links to the patch as requested by Sony Interactive Entertainment.

McDonald referenced a past encounter with former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida, where he jokingly revealed his creation of the Bloodborne 60fps mod. Yoshida's reaction was reportedly laughter.

Bloodborne's status as an untouched title, despite fan demand for a 60fps patch, remaster, or sequel, remains a significant industry enigma. While McDonald's mod previously filled this gap, recent advancements in PS4 emulation, specifically ShadPS4, now allow for a near-remaster experience on PC at 60fps, as highlighted by Digital Foundry. This breakthrough may have prompted Sony's action, though IGN has reached out to Sony for comment.

Earlier this month, Yoshida offered his perspective on Bloodborne's inactivity in an interview with Kinda Funny Games. He theorized that Hidetaka Miyazaki, Bloodborne's creator, cherishes the game deeply and is reluctant to allow others to work on it, even for updates or remasters, due to his busy schedule and high standards. Yoshida emphasized this is merely a personal theory, not leaked information.

Despite Bloodborne's near-decade-long dormancy since its release, a glimmer of hope remains. While Miyazaki often deflects questions about the game, citing FromSoftware's lack of IP ownership, he did acknowledge in February 2023 that a release on modern hardware would be beneficial. The situation highlights the complex interplay between fan demand, developer sentiment, and publisher control surrounding this beloved title.