Sony Enforces Removal of Long-Standing Bloodborne Performance Mod
Popular 60 FPS patch for PlayStation exclusive removed after nearly four years following legal action.

Sony Interactive Entertainment has issued a DMCA takedown notice against a widely-used unofficial performance patch for Bloodborne, forcing its creator, Lance McDonald, to remove all distribution links. The modification, which enabled the game to run at 60 frames per second instead of its native 30 FPS, had been freely available since February 2021.
The timing of Sony’s legal action has drawn particular attention within the gaming community, as the patch had remained undisturbed for nearly four years before the sudden enforcement. The modification addressed one of the most common criticisms of the original PlayStation 4 release, which was locked at 30 frames per second without any official options for performance enhancement.
Bloodborne, released in 2015, has sold over 7.4 million copies and maintains a 91 average critic score on OpenCritic. Despite its commercial and critical success, the game has never received an official remaster or performance update, leading to the community’s reliance on unofficial modifications like McDonald’s patch.
Industry Context and Speculation
The removal has sparked discussion about potential future plans for the franchise. Former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida recently offered insight into the absence of an official remaster, suggesting that game director Hidetaka Miyazaki’s personal attachment to the project and busy schedule may have influenced development decisions.
While the PC gaming community has made progress with Bloodborne emulation, including recent improvements to sound implementation through shadPS4, the removal of the 60 FPS patch represents a significant setback for PlayStation 4 users seeking an enhanced experience with the original release.