Sony Interactive Entertainment has issued a DMCA takedown notice for a popular Bloodborne framerate mod that allowed players to run the game at 60 frames per second. The mod, created by Australia-based Twitch streamer Lance McDonald, was first published in 2021 and had gained a significant following among fans of the "Soulsbourne" series.

The mod's sole purpose was to improve the game's frame pacing, which was originally locked at 30 fps with occasional stuttering. Despite being released in 2015 for the PlayStation 4, Bloodborne's graphical limitations have persisted even on the PS4 Pro and while playing it via backwards compatibility on the PlayStation 5. McDonald's mod had received widespread testing and praise from the gaming community, including a spotlight from Digital Foundry, which used the mod to create a 4K/60fps representation on PS5 using AI upscaling.

The takedown notice has sparked speculation among fans that Sony may be nearing an announcement related to Bloodborne, potentially a remake or update, in time for the 10-year anniversary of the game's release. This speculation is fueled by the fact that fans have been eagerly awaiting any news related to Bloodborne, and the sudden removal of the mod has raised hopes that Sony may be preparing something significant.

It's also possible that Sony is simply taking a page from Nintendo's playbook, which has been known to aggressively pursue takedown notices for fan-made content. Regardless of the reason, the removal of the mod has left fans disappointed and wondering what Sony's next move will be.

The incident highlights the complex relationship between game developers, publishers, and the gaming community. While mods can enhance the gaming experience and demonstrate the creativity of fans, they can also pose a threat to the intellectual property and commercial interests of game developers and publishers. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how companies like Sony balance their interests with the needs and desires of their fan base.

In the meantime, fans of Bloodborne will have to wait and see what Sony has in store for them. With the 10-year anniversary of the game's release approaching, it's possible that we may see some significant announcements or updates in the near future. Only time will tell.