Bloomberg Reveals FromSoftware Blocked Bloodborne Remake: Details
Key Takeaways
- Bluepoint Games repeatedly pitched a Bloodborne remake to Sony, which was accepted financially.
- FromSoftware ultimately blocked the Bloodborne remake, preventing its production.
- Sony rejected Bluepoint's pitch for an updated version of their own Shadow of the Colossus remake.
- Bluepoint also pitched a Ghost of Tsushima spinoff and other projects, none of which were greenlit by PlayStation studios.
- The studio spent years struggling with a cancelled live-service God of War game, featuring Atreus in Hades.
- Sony concluded Bluepoint was "no longer equipped" to make its own games, leading to its eventual closure in early 2025.
- Bluepoint employees reportedly became uneasy when a God of War Trilogy Remake was announced without their involvement, shortly before the studio's closure.
Well, fellow Hunters, get ready for a gut punch. A new report from Bloomberg has dropped a bombshell that will sting Bloodborne fanatics like a well-aimed cannonball from a Winter Lantern. It seems the remake we've all been dreaming of – a faithful, next-gen polish of the PS4's gothic masterpiece by none other than remake legends Bluepoint Games – was not only pitched, but it was accepted by Sony. The catch? The original architects of Yharnam, FromSoftware, stepped in and flat-out said no.
This isn't just a rumor; this is the grim truth, coming straight from a Bloomberg report. For years, we've speculated, hoped, and prayed for Bloodborne to get the Demon's Souls treatment, especially after Bluepoint proved their mettle with that incredible remake. Now we know it was almost a reality, only to be taken away by the very creators who brought it to life. This news hits hard, leaving us to wonder what could have been.
The Bloodborne Remake That Was Shut Down
The idea of Bluepoint tackling Bloodborne felt like a natural fit, a no-brainer. Their work on Demon's Souls was phenomenal, showing a deep respect for the source material while modernizing it for a new generation. According to Bloomberg, Bluepoint Games pitched this idea to Sony multiple times. And get this: Sony, who holds the rights to the IP, actually said yes, noting that the numbers made sense
. That's right, the business case for a Bloodborne remake was solid. It was considered so strongly that at one point, it was even expected to happen within Bluepoint.
But then, the hammer dropped. The production never entered the crucial development phase, and the reason is soul-crushing for fans:
FromSoftware, the original developer on PS4, 'didn't want it to happen'.
This reveals a complex layer of IP control and creative vision. While Sony owns Bloodborne, FromSoftware's influence as the original creator clearly holds significant weight. From a pure player perspective, this feels like a massive missed opportunity. Imagine Bloodborne running at 60fps, with crisp 4K textures, perhaps some quality-of-life tweaks, all without messing with the core gameplay that makes it a brutal classic. It would have been a game-changer for many who've struggled with its performance on original hardware or yearned for a PC port. Our take is that FromSoftware, known for their strong artistic direction and tight control over their games, likely had a specific vision, or perhaps a lack thereof for a remake, that clashed with Bluepoint's proposal. It's a tough pill to swallow, knowing how close we were to a true next-gen Bloodborne.
Bluepoint's Ambition: Rejected Pitches and Stalled Projects
The Bloodborne remake wasn't the only project Bluepoint had in mind that ultimately went nowhere. The Bloomberg report sheds light on a series of rejections and a prolonged struggle with a major project, painting a picture of a studio grappling for direction.
Sony Turns Down a Shadow of the Colossus Update
Bluepoint, masters of the remake and remaster, even pitched an updated version of their own celebrated Shadow of the Colossus remake, which launched on PS4. This, too, was turned down by Sony. It's perplexing. Given the success and critical acclaim of that remake, one would think a further polish or perhaps some additional content could have been a relatively safe bet. Was it a matter of resources? Or perhaps Sony saw less market appetite for a re-remake? It's hard to say without more info, but it certainly suggests a pattern of Sony being selective about what Bluepoint could pursue.
No Go for a Ghost of Tsushima Spinoff
Beyond remakes, Bluepoint reportedly attempted to pivot to original content or at least expand existing IPs. They pitched to "other PlayStation studios on developing new projects in other franchises, such as a spinoff of Ghost of Tsushima." Again, nothing was greenlit. It raises questions about Bluepoint's perceived capabilities beyond remakes, or perhaps Sony's protective stance on their first-party IPs and who gets to touch them. It feels like Bluepoint was hitting a wall trying to expand their portfolio.
The Live-Service God of War Game That "Floundered"
The most revealing insight into Bluepoint's struggles comes from the revelation that they spent years working on a live-service God of War game. This was ultimately cancelled in early 2025. The concept itself was intriguing: Atreus had fallen into Hades. The "loose idea" involved players controlling "different versions or aspects of Atreus as they battled through Greek hell," with some form of cooperative gameplay and ongoing support. While the idea had some cool narrative potential, the execution seems to have been a nightmare.
The report states that the developer "made little progress" and "spent several years floundering" with this project. This is a common tale in the industry, where the allure of live-service often traps studios in endless development cycles, struggling with design, monetization, and content pipelines. It sounds like Bluepoint got caught in the live-service meta, a trap that has claimed many talented teams. This protracted struggle likely drained resources and morale, directly impacting the studio's standing with Sony.
The Final Blow: Bluepoint's Closure
The culmination of these rejections and the protracted, unsuccessful live-service project ultimately sealed Bluepoint's fate. According to sources, Sony "no longer thought Bluepoint was equipped to make its own game and couldn’t find a partnership that made sense." Consequently, the studio was shut down. This is a stark reminder of the cutthroat nature of game development and publisher expectations. Even a studio with Bluepoint's pedigree in remakes isn't immune when they struggle to branch out or deliver on a new vision.
Adding insult to injury, employees reportedly became "uneasy" when a God of War Trilogy Remake was announced just weeks before their studio's closure, without any involvement from them. Given their prior attempts with God of War and their reputation for remakes, this must have been a crushing blow, signaling the end was truly nigh. It's a sad ending for a studio that gave us some truly beautiful modernizations of classic games. Their legacy will undoubtedly be remembered for their craft in remakes, but this report paints a picture of a studio that perhaps struggled to find its next big move in an increasingly competitive industry landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why was the Bluepoint Bloodborne remake cancelled?
- According to the Bloomberg report, while Sony had financially accepted Bluepoint's pitch for the remake, original developer FromSoftware stepped in to block the project.
- What other games did Bluepoint Games pitch to Sony?
- Bluepoint reportedly pitched a Ghost of Tsushima spinoff and an updated version of their Shadow of the Colossus remake, but neither project was greenlit.
- When did Bluepoint Games close?
- The report indicates that Bluepoint Games officially closed in early 2025 after Sony determined the studio was no longer equipped to develop internal projects.
- Was there a cancelled God of War project at Bluepoint?
- Yes, Bluepoint reportedly spent years working on a cancelled live-service God of War game that featured the character Atreus set within the Hades realm.