Bloodborne 2 just became a lot more likely

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As a seasoned gamer with over two decades under my belt, I’ve seen my fair share of industry shakeups. However, the news about Sony becoming the majority shareholder of FromSoftware’s parent company has left me positively giddy with anticipation!

With Sony now owning a significant stake in FromSoftware’s parent company, we might expect some interesting developments for games like Bloodborne and the Souls series. This could potentially lead to closer collaboration between Sony and FromSoftware on these popular titles.

After several weeks of rumors about Sony potentially acquiring Kadokawa, it has now been officially verified this morning that the merger is indeed taking place. Although Sony hasn’t directly purchased Kadokawa’s parent company, they have taken over as the principal shareholder – and this shift in ownership brings about a significant transformation.

Certainly, the primary aim of this agreement seems to be Sony’s desire to gain access to Kadokawa’s extensive anime archive. In fact, Sony intends to leverage these resources by creating additional TV shows and movies. Moreover, with this deal, Sony now has control over FromSoftware’s projects, which is undoubtedly appealing news for their gaming division.

Returning to the Hunt

Indeed, let’s discuss Bloodborne – the acclaimed Souls title developed by FromSoftware under commission from Sony in 2015. Launched at a time when the Dark Souls series was gaining popularity, Bloodborne served as an exclusive Souls game for Sony’s then-new PlayStation 4 console.

Over time, Bloodborne has been cherished deeply by its fans, constantly requesting updates like a PS5 patch, remasters, sequels, or even just listening ears from FromSoft, Sony, and anyone else willing to lend them. In simpler terms, the game’s legacy has grown strong, and its followers are consistently asking for new versions or improvements.

Due to FromSoftware’s heavy workload on projects like Elden Ring, Sekiro, Armored Core 6, and numerous others, Bloodborne took a backseat in development. Sony enlisted Bluepoint Games to remake Demon’s Souls instead, leaving the call of the hunt unheeded. But with the Kadokawa deal, there’s a possibility that this could shift.

It’s worth noting that with Sony as a potential dominant force, FromSoftware could have greater control over their projects. Interestingly, the creative team at FromSoftware seems to be enthusiastic about this change, possibly due to their positive history of collaboration with Sony and the excitement of potentially working on more Sony-owned intellectual properties, such as additional Bloodborne games. The reasons behind this enthusiasm remain unclear.

Without a doubt, the statement above leans towards speculation, but there’s no denying that the possibility of Bloodborne 2 has never been closer to becoming a reality. If Sony had recently acquired FromSoftware, creating Bloodborne 2 would be an obvious choice. After all, the desire for this game among fans is evident, so now it falls on Sony and FromSoftware to make their move.

The future of Elden Ring

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but speculate about the possibility of Sony commissioning FromSoftware to create a sequel to Demon’s Souls for the PS5. Although neither the original nor its remake may not have garnered as much popularity as Bloodborne, it’s essential to remember that it was the precursor to all Souls games. Contemplating a new chapter in that universe truly sparks excitement! Just like the prospect of a Bloodborne 2, this possibility is now within the realm of reality.

Let’s not forget that FromSoftware now fully owns the Elden Ring IP, which also means Sony effectively does too. The future of this franchise may have factored into their decision more than Bloodborne if we’re being honest. While it too is purely speculation at this stage, a PS5-exclusive Elden Ring isn’t completely outside the realms of possibility now that the merger is real.

Following the unveiling of Elden Ring: Nightreign, the collaboration between Bandai Namco and FromSoftware stays in place for now. The curiosity arises whether this partnership will persist post-Nightreign’s release or if it marks the end of their joint ventures. Given that Bandai Namco is now creating a shared Souls universe, one might wonder about the future, as Nightreign appears to be a standalone game in itself.

As a devoted fan, it’s not hard to see that Sony might choose to steer clear of this partnership, given the strategic benefits their PlayStation brand derives from collaborations. In fact, they might opt to let FromSoftware carry on working with various third-party publishers. For instance, suppose Activision approaches them for Sekiro 2. Could we ever envision Armored Core games without FromSoftware spearheading the development?

Although it seems likely that Sony has teamed up with FromSoftware with specific projects like Elden Ring 2 and Bloodborne in their sights, there’s a bigger perspective to take into account. Just remember, despite Microsoft owning the company behind Call of Duty, we can still enjoy playing COD on PS5.

The point is, Sony’s ownership of FromSoft doesn’t have to mean everything – but be under no illusion, it absolutely will mean something for the future of Souls games. As the festive season gets going, Bloodborne fans should feel confident as they dare to dream again.

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2024-12-20 14:43