The PlayStation 30th-anniversary video reignited speculation about a potential Bloodborne remake or sequel. Let's delve into the latest buzz surrounding the game and the recent PS5 update.
PlayStation's 30th Anniversary: A Bloodborne Finale?
Bloodborne's Appearance in the Anniversary Trailer
The anniversary trailer featured the acclaimed PS4 exclusive, Bloodborne, accompanied by the caption, "It's about persistence." While other titles also appeared, the inclusion of Bloodborne sparked fervent fan speculation about a remaster or a long-awaited sequel.Set to a unique arrangement of The Cranberries' "Dreams," the trailer showcased PlayStation's iconic games, including Ghost of Tsushima, God of War, and Helldivers 2. Each game featured a thematic caption—for instance, "It's about fantasy" for Final Fantasy VII and "It's about fear" for Resident Evil. Bloodborne's placement and caption, however, fueled intense debate among fans.
Despite the lack of concrete evidence, fans continue to speculate about a Bloodborne 2 or a 60fps remaster with enhanced visuals. This isn't the first time such rumors have surfaced; a similar wave of speculation followed a post by PlayStation Italia on Instagram in August, showcasing iconic Bloodborne locations.
The trailer's ending might simply acknowledge Bloodborne's notorious difficulty, emphasizing the persistence required to conquer its challenges, rather than hinting at new developments.
PS5 Update: Customizable UI
Sony's 30th-anniversary celebrations included a PS5 update, introducing a limited-time PS1 boot sequence and customizable themes inspired by past PlayStation consoles. The update features themes spanning from PS1 to PS4, offering a nostalgic trip down memory lane for PlayStation enthusiasts.
This update allows PS5 users to personalize their home screen's appearance and sounds, choosing from various PlayStation console styles. After applying the update, navigate to PS5 Settings, select "PlayStation 30th Anniversary," and then "Appearance and Sound" to customize the background and audio.
While the update has been well-received, particularly the return of the PS4 UI, its limited-time availability has disappointed some. Speculation abounds that this could be a test run for broader UI customization options on the PS5 in the future.
Sony's Handheld Console in Development
The excitement doesn't end there. Digital Foundry recently corroborated Bloomberg's report about Sony's development of a new handheld console for PS5 games. While still in its early stages, Sony aims to make inroads into the portable gaming market currently dominated by Nintendo Switch.
John Linneman of Digital Foundry confirmed having heard about the project months earlier, further fueling the speculation. The panelists discussed the strategic rationale behind both Microsoft and Sony entering the handheld market, particularly considering the popularity 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 may be years away, requiring the development of affordable yet visually impressive devices to compete with Nintendo. Meanwhile, Nintendo, having announced more information about the Nintendo Switch successor is expected "within this fiscal year," seems to be ahead in the handheld race.
