Why Hasn’t Bloodborne 2 Happened? Former PlayStation Boss Explains the Legal Challenges

Bloodborne remains one of the most beloved PlayStation exclusives ever released. Developed by FromSoftware and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment in 2015, the gothic action RPG has built an incredibly loyal fanbase thanks to its challenging combat, haunting atmosphere, memorable boss encounters, and mysterious world. More than a decade after its original release, players are still hoping to see the game return with a modern remaster or a full-fledged sequel.

However, despite years of speculation, rumors, and countless requests from fans, neither Bloodborne 2 nor an official remaster has become a reality. The continued interest in the original game makes Sony’s silence even more difficult for fans to understand. While some believe the company simply has no interest in revisiting the franchise, former PlayStation chairman Shawn Layden has offered another possible explanation.

According to Layden, the biggest obstacle might not be a lack of interest in Bloodborne, but rather the complicated legal and ownership arrangements surrounding the property.

Shawn Layden Explains Why Bloodborne 2 Hasn’t Happened

Speaking during a recent episode of The Trophy Room podcast, former Sony Interactive Entertainment chairman Shawn Layden was asked about the possibility of seeing more Bloodborne in the future. Considering his experience at PlayStation during the game’s development and release, his comments offer an interesting perspective on why the franchise has remained inactive for so long.

Layden made it clear that he considers Bloodborne an exceptional game and praised the collaboration between Sony and FromSoftware. He also acknowledged the quality of the work both companies accomplished during his time at PlayStation.

However, he pointed out that bringing back an older game is not necessarily as straightforward as fans might imagine. Even when a company recognizes the value of an established franchise, there are several practical considerations that need to be addressed before development can move forward.

One of the biggest questions, according to Layden, is whether a new project can live up to the reputation of the original.

“Can you do something that is not only respectful of the original, but can you recreate the phenomenon,” Layden explained.

This is an important consideration for a game like Bloodborne. Its reputation has grown considerably over the years, and expectations surrounding a potential sequel or remaster would be extremely high. Simply bringing the game back would not necessarily be enough. Sony would need to deliver something that captures the atmosphere and identity that made the original so memorable.

Complicated Ownership Rights Could Be the Biggest Obstacle

Perhaps the most interesting part of Layden’s comments concerned the legal arrangements behind Bloodborne. According to the former PlayStation executive, multiple parties are involved, which could make any attempt to revisit the franchise considerably more complicated.

“There’s a lot of involved rights associated with it,” Layden said.

He went on to explain that Sony, FromSoftware, and FromSoftware’s parent company all have a role in the situation. Getting everyone to agree on the necessary arrangements could therefore become a significant challenge.

“I think just getting everyone to sign off on everything is probably the biggest challenge there,” he added.

These comments provide a different perspective on the long-running Bloodborne discussion. Fans often assume that Sony could simply authorize a remaster or sequel whenever it wanted. However, the reality of video game development and intellectual property ownership can be much more complicated.

Different companies may have separate contractual responsibilities, licensing arrangements, and approval rights. Depending on the original agreements, a new project could require negotiations between several parties before production even begins.

It is also worth remembering that FromSoftware is now part of a larger corporate structure. Its parent company, Kadokawa Corporation, adds another layer to the business relationship. While Layden did not provide specific details about the contractual arrangements, his comments suggest that reaching an agreement between the involved companies may be more difficult than fans realize.

Importantly, this does not mean that a Bloodborne sequel or remaster is legally impossible. Layden was discussing the potential challenges involved rather than confirming that any particular agreement had failed.

Why a Bloodborne Remaster Would Make Sense

The demand for a Bloodborne remaster has remained remarkably consistent. Originally released for PlayStation 4, the game has never received a dedicated PlayStation 5 upgrade or a native PC release.

Although the original remains playable through backward compatibility on newer PlayStation consoles, its technical limitations have become increasingly noticeable compared with more recent releases.

A modern version could address several long-standing requests from the community, including improved performance, higher resolutions, faster loading times, and additional technical enhancements. A PC release would also introduce the game to a much wider audience.

The continued interest in Bloodborne is not particularly surprising. FromSoftware has become one of the industry’s most recognizable developers, especially following the success of Elden Ring. That success has introduced millions of new players to the studio’s approach to challenging combat, environmental storytelling, and interconnected world design.

Naturally, many of those players have also become interested in experiencing Bloodborne.

However, a remaster would still require the necessary business agreements and approval from the relevant rights holders. Even if the technical work were relatively straightforward, the legal side could remain a major hurdle.

Could Bloodborne 2 Ever Become a Reality?

A sequel would be an even bigger undertaking than a remaster. Bloodborne’s identity is closely connected to its original world, atmosphere, and distinctive gameplay. Any continuation would need to respect those elements while offering something genuinely new.

There is also the question of who would actually develop it. FromSoftware created the original game, and its involvement would naturally be important to many fans. However, the studio has established several successful franchises and original projects since 2015. Whether it would want to return to Bloodborne is a separate question from whether Sony would be interested in making another entry.

Sony would also need to consider the expectations surrounding a sequel. Bloodborne has developed a reputation that is difficult to replicate, and a disappointing follow-up could potentially damage the legacy of one of PlayStation’s most celebrated exclusives.

For now, Layden’s comments do not confirm that a sequel or remaster is in development, nor do they suggest that an announcement is imminent. They simply highlight an aspect of the situation that is often overlooked when discussing the franchise’s future.

Shawn Layden Also Discussed PlayStation’s Future

Bloodborne was not the only PlayStation-related topic covered during Layden’s appearance on The Trophy Room. The former executive also discussed several broader subjects concerning Sony’s gaming business and the future of the industry.

Among the topics mentioned were the potential direction of the PlayStation 6, the importance of supporting independent developers, and Sony’s acquisition of Insomniac Games.

These subjects offer additional insight into Layden’s perspective on the challenges facing the modern gaming industry. His experience at PlayStation gives his comments particular relevance, especially when discussing how major publishers approach development, acquisitions, and long-term franchise management.

Nevertheless, his remarks about Bloodborne are likely to attract the most attention from fans who have spent years waiting for some kind of return.

For now, the future of the franchise remains uncertain. But if Layden’s assessment is correct, the lack of a new Bloodborne project may have less to do with Sony ignoring fan demand and more to do with the complicated agreements required to bring all the relevant parties together.

Until those obstacles are addressed, Bloodborne fans may have to keep waiting for their return to Yharnam.

---

“Santa Monica Studio has officially confirmed that God of War: Laufey will miss its original early 2027 window. Here is everything you need to know about the PS5 exclusive’s new May 20, 2027 release date.”