Renewed Bloodborne Speculation Following PlayStation's 30th Anniversary

PlayStation's 30th-anniversary celebration concluded with a bang, featuring the acclaimed PS4 exclusive, Bloodborne, in its celebratory trailer. The inclusion of Bloodborne, accompanied by the caption "It's about persistence," has reignited fervent speculation among fans regarding a potential Bloodborne remaster, sequel, or remake.

Bloodborne's Anniversary Appearance Fuels Fan Theories

Set to a unique arrangement of The Cranberries' "Dreams," the trailer showcased iconic PlayStation titles, each paired 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, sparked widespread excitement and conjecture.

Prior to, and following, the trailer's release, the absence of concrete information hasn't deterred fans from speculating about a potential Bloodborne 2 or a 60fps remaster with enhanced visuals. This isn't the first instance of such speculation; a previous Instagram post by PlayStation Italia featuring iconic Bloodborne locations similarly ignited fan enthusiasm.

While Bloodborne's inclusion in the trailer might simply acknowledge its challenging gameplay and the persistence required to conquer it, the timing and context have fueled hopes for an official announcement.

PS5 Update: Customizable UI and Throwback Themes

To commemorate its 30th anniversary, Sony released a PS5 update offering a limited-time PS1 boot-up sequence and customizable themes inspired by past PlayStation consoles. These themes, spanning from PS1 to PS4, allow players to personalize their home screen's appearance and sound effects.

This update has been well-received by fans, particularly the nostalgic return of the PS4 UI. However, the limited-time nature of the update has led to disappointment, with some expressing a willingness to pay for its permanence. The update is also seen by some as a potential test for future, more comprehensive UI customization options on the PS5.

Sony's Potential Handheld Console Entry

The wave of speculation extends beyond the PS5 update. Digital Foundry recently corroborated Bloomberg's report on Sony's development of a handheld console for PS5 games. While still in its early stages, this move signifies Sony's intention to enter the portable gaming market, currently dominated by Nintendo Switch.

The panelists at Digital Foundry highlighted the strategic rationale behind this move, considering the current prominence of mobile gaming. This suggests that the upcoming handheld devices from both Microsoft and Sony could coexist effectively with mobile platforms.

While Microsoft has openly acknowledged its interest in a handheld device, Sony remains tight-lipped. Despite the corroboration, the release of these handheld consoles from both companies is likely years away, requiring the development of affordable yet graphically superior devices to compete effectively with Nintendo. Meanwhile, Nintendo, seemingly ahead in the portable gaming race, has announced plans to reveal more details about the Nintendo Switch's successor within its current fiscal year.