FromSoftware took the extremely influential Dark Souls formula open world with its magnum opus, Elden Ring, ably assisted in this by publisher and co-IP holder Bandai Namco. Now, it appears that potentially, thanks to that significant injection of cash from Sony and Tencent to a 30% stake, FromSoftware is the sole proprietor of the IP, with Bandai Namco transferring ownership rights back in April 2023.
The change to the US trademark filing was spotted by Redditor YasuhiroK (thanks, PlayStation Universe), but no official announcement seems to have been made. It casts the news that Tencent is allegedly developing a mobile gacha game set in the Elden Ring universe in a new light, and we'll have to wait and see how From reacts to these latest reports.
In potentially related news, FromSoftware parent company Kadokawa recently dumped an icy glass of Estus on players' heads, anticipating a re-revealing of Elden Ring DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, anytime soon.
Do you think this materially changes things for Elden Ring players who have been subsisting on scraps for almost two years? Paraphrasing one witty Redditor in the above thread, Sony owns 100% of the Bloodborne IP, a 15% stake in FromSoftware, and we are still 0% closer to getting a sequel or even a remaster some nine years later, so maybe nothing changes at all. Exist in perpetual limbo in the comments section below.
[source tsdr.uspto.gov, via reddit.com, psu.com]
Comments 14
It should be noted that FromSoft had always owned the trademark for Elden Ring for every territory in the world except North America. The Canadian Trademark had already lapsed and been re-registered by FromSoft over a year ago, meaning the USA trademark was the last one. Not sure exactly why the#e we’re registered to Bandai Namco when Kadokawa had always implied FromSoft owned the IP.
Dark souls 3 and elden ring have taken up all their development time so that's probably why we haven't had a bloodborne sequel or perhaps it's because it was so damn good in the first place that it dosnt need a sequel. Bring on the elden ring expansion when it's ready as I'm certain it's well worth the wait and to reiterate I can never remember reading anywhere where a release date was discussed by the devs so I'm not sure why it's even an issue and why it's being pursued..it'll be ready when it's ready.
@Northern_munkey I'm not even that much of a DLC fan, because no matter what, it's never gonna be as big as base game.
Bloodborne is From's Magnum Opus, in my stubborn opinion. If we consider games as art, Borne is the creative peak of From's output. Elden Ring is simply Dark Souls open world and fairly clumsily stitched together at that. Bloodborne is a sublimely coherent world, with a setting and atmosphere, so starkly poignant in comparison to the other titles. I'm playing Borne again at the minute, and honestly, it stands out as the IP most in dire need of a remake/remaster. The frame rate is so choppy and poorly paced. DS1 and DS3 both run at 60fps, it is a real shame their best work (imo) is in such a poor state.
@Shakybeeves Agreed Bloodborne is peak I don't think they'll ever top it
@TheArt froms dlc's have always been substantial and well worth the price of admission.
Sony owns 100% of the Bloodborne IP, a 15% stake in FromSoftware, and we are still 0% closer to getting a sequel or even a remaster some nine years later
That's entirely Sony's fault.
Miyazaki loves Bloodborne (or at least that's what he stated a while back). My bet is From Software would have done something about Bloodborne until now
But they can't do jack sh..t because it all depends on Sony...
Which doesn't really give a crap about people's wishes, and is quite content to keeping it on ice until a next console launch (PS5 Pro less likely, more like PS6), and use an eventual Remake of BB to boost the console's adoption and increase $$$ revenue, like they did with Demon's Souls... capitalizing as much as possible on the IP and From Software's renown.
Man, I’m going to be reeeeeeally rusty at the game by the time that DLC comes out. It’s not exactly a pick-up-and-play game. Lol. DLC coming roughly two years after completing a game is quite a strange thing indeed.
Cool.from software is a instant classic publisher.word up son
Is there’s still some rumoring out there that Bloodborne 2 is actually what BluePoint are making?
I think Bloodborne remake/2 is going to be this generations Half Life 3. Let the memes begin!!! (I hope I’m wrong)
@BeerIsAwesome I mean you're not wrong... but Sony isn't anywhere near the behemoth Microsoft is. Microsoft buys studios because they can. They have enough cash on hand to buy Sony. Sony obviously doesn't have those type of resources and isn't the most valuable company in the world. They need to be more strategic than Microsoft.
Well good for them 💪
Here's hoping they can take Bloodborne from Sony next, and finally do something with this impressive IP, to bring it back to life
Why can't some people just let Bloodborne stand on its own as a singular, magnificent achievement of gaming, instead of constantly demanding a sequel, as if it's somehow disrespecting fans that one hasn't been made yet? The game isn't diminished just because they didn't turn it into a franchise.
Don't get me wrong, an update to fix its frame pacing and up the framerate would've been welcome, but beyond that, I would be fine if they never touched the IP again. Not everything needs to become a multi-game franchise.
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