The PlayStation 30th-anniversary trailer reignited speculation surrounding 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 Celebration: A Bloodborne Finale?
Bloodborne's Appearance in the Anniversary Trailer
The anniversary trailer prominently featured Bloodborne, the acclaimed PS4 exclusive, accompanied by the caption, "It's about persistence." While other PlayStation titles also received screen time, the inclusion of Bloodborne sparked fervent speculation among fans regarding a potential remaster or even a long-awaited sequel.Set to a unique rendition of The Cranberries' "Dreams," the trailer showcased iconic PlayStation games like Ghost of Tsushima, God of War, and Helldivers 2, each with a thematic caption (e.g., "It's about fantasy" for Final Fantasy VII, "It's about fear" for Resident Evil). The final appearance of Bloodborne and its accompanying caption, however, fueled intense fan debate.
Despite the lack of concrete evidence before or after the trailer's release, rumors of a Bloodborne 2 or a 60fps remaster with enhanced visuals continue to swirl. This isn't the first time such speculation has arisen; a previous Instagram post by PlayStation Italia featuring iconic Bloodborne locations similarly ignited fan excitement.
However, the trailer's closing shot of Bloodborne could simply acknowledge the game's notorious difficulty, emphasizing the player's need for persistence, rather than hinting at upcoming announcements.
PS5 Update: Customizable UI
Sony released a PS5 update celebrating PlayStation's 30th anniversary, including a limited-time PS1 boot-up sequence and customizable themes inspired by past consoles. Themes spanning PS1 to PS4 allow users to revisit the nostalgic aesthetics of previous PlayStation generations.
This update enables PS5 users to personalize their home screen's appearance and sound effects, drawing from various PlayStation consoles. Users can access these options through the PS5 Settings menu, selecting "PlayStation 30th Anniversary" and then "Appearance and Sound."
The update's reception has been mixed. While the return of the PS4 UI pleased many, the limited-time availability has led to disappointment, with some expressing a willingness to pay for its permanence. Others see this as a potential test run for more extensive UI customization options on PS5.
Sony's Handheld Console in Development
Speculation extends beyond the PS5 update. Digital Foundry recently corroborated Bloomberg's report of Sony developing a handheld console for PS5 games. While still in early stages, Sony aims to enter the portable gaming market, currently dominated by Nintendo Switch.
John Linneman of Digital Foundry confirmed the rumor, noting that the information had circulated among their sources for some time. The panel discussion highlighted the strategic logic behind both Microsoft and Sony entering this market, given the rise of mobile gaming. This suggests their handheld devices could complement, rather than compete directly with, mobile platforms.
While Microsoft has openly acknowledged their interest in handheld devices, Sony remains discreet. Despite the confirmation, the release of both Sony and Microsoft's handheld consoles is likely years away, given the challenge of creating affordable, graphically superior devices to compete with Nintendo. Nintendo, however, appears ahead in the race, with President Shuntaro Furukawa announcing plans to reveal more details about the Nintendo Switch's successor within the current fiscal year.
