Bloodborne Remake Rumors Surge Amid PlayStation Anniversary Hints

The PlayStation 30th-anniversary celebrations reignited speculation surrounding a potential Bloodborne remake or sequel. Let's delve into the latest news and the recent PS5 update.

Bloodborne's Anniversary Appearance Fuels Speculation

Bloodborne Closes Out the Anniversary Trailer

The PlayStation 30th-anniversary trailer prominently featured Bloodborne, accompanied by the caption, "It's about persistence." While other titles also appeared, the inclusion of Bloodborne, especially its placement at the trailer's conclusion, sparked intense fan speculation about a potential remaster or a long-awaited sequel.

The trailer, set to a unique rendition of The Cranberries' "Dreams," showcased PlayStation's most iconic games, including Ghost of Tsushima, God of War, and Helldivers 2. Each game featured a thematic caption (e.g., Final Fantasy VII: "It's about fantasy"). However, Bloodborne's "persistence" tagline ignited a wave of fervent anticipation.

Despite the lack of concrete evidence before or after the trailer's release, rumors of a 60fps Bloodborne remaster with enhanced visuals, or even Bloodborne 2, continue to circulate. This isn't the first time such speculation has emerged. An earlier Instagram post by PlayStation Italia showcasing key Bloodborne locations similarly fueled fan excitement.

The trailer's ending might simply acknowledge Bloodborne's notorious difficulty, highlighting the persistence required to conquer its challenges, rather than hinting at new developments.

PS5 Update Introduces UI Customization

Sony released a PS5 update to commemorate its 30th anniversary, including a limited-time PS1 boot-up sequence and customizable themes inspired by past PlayStation consoles. Themes spanning PS1 to PS4 allow users to revisit the nostalgic aesthetics of previous generations.

This update lets PS5 users personalize their home screen's design and sound effects to emulate older consoles. Accessing the "PlayStation 30th Anniversary" option within PS5 Settings, then selecting "Appearance and Sound," enables these customizations.

While the update was well-received, particularly the return of the PS4 UI, its limited-time availability disappointed many. Some even expressed willingness to pay for its permanence, while others view it as a potential test run for broader UI customization options on PS5.

Sony's Handheld Console in Development

Speculation extends beyond the PS5 update. Digital Foundry corroborated Bloomberg's report on a new PlayStation handheld console. Bloomberg's November 25th article claimed Sony is developing a handheld device for PS5 games. Though still in early stages, Sony aims to compete in the portable gaming market currently dominated by Nintendo Switch.

Digital Foundry's John Linneman confirmed their prior knowledge of the project, suggesting the recent reports merely confirmed existing, unannounced information. The panelists discussed the strategic sense of both Microsoft and Sony entering the handheld market, given the prevalence of mobile gaming.

While Microsoft has been more open about its handheld ambitions, Sony remains tight-lipped. Despite the corroboration, the release of both Sony's and Microsoft's handhelds remains years away, requiring the development of affordable yet graphically impressive devices to challenge Nintendo's dominance. Meanwhile, Nintendo is poised to unveil more details about the Nintendo Switch's successor within its current fiscal year.