Since its launch in 2015, Bloodborne has been an exclusive game for PlayStation, leaving many PC gamers desiring a taste of its dark and fantastical atmosphere. Recently, Souls series dataminer Lance McDonald has sparked discussions about a potential PC version of the game. This article explores the latest evidence from McDonald's discoveries and delves into the implications of this covert build for the gaming industry.
The investigation commenced with a screenshot from the Bloodborne Wiki, featuring a captivating filename: "Marcos-domenech-win64-sprj-160809-172519.jpg." Marcos Domenech is an environmental artist who has worked with FromSoftware on various projects, including Bloodborne, Dark Souls 3, and Elden Ring. According to McDonald, the "win64-sprj" part of the filename indicates that the screenshot was taken from an internal Windows build of the game. Additionally, the distinctive perspective of the image hints at the use of a developer-specific debug camera.
What enhances this discovery even more is that the screenshot showcases the Fishing Hamlet, a location from Bloodborne’s DLC. This detail suggests that the developer-side PC build incorporates the entire retail version of the game, not just earlier iterations. McDonald also asserts to have witnessed an earlier version of the game running on PC in a "private setting," reinforcing the possibility of a complete PC edition of Bloodborne existing somewhere.
Despite these findings, the likelihood of an official release of Bloodborne for PC remains slim. The main barrier is Sony's reluctance to expand the game to other platforms, regardless of the simplicity of the process. This concealed PC version indicates that transferring the game to a high-refresh display or Steam Deck would not pose a significant challenge, as most of the groundwork has already been laid. However, without Sony's consent, this enticing prospect remains merely a wish for PC gamers.
In conclusion, even though the evidence in favor of a hidden Bloodborne PC build continues to mount, it is improbable that the gaming community will ever get the chance to experience it firsthand. Despite the frustration, dedicated fans persist in holding onto hope for a potential release, whether through a remaster or a remake. Meanwhile, those intrigued by Souls series secrets and behind-the-scenes insights can visit McDonald's YouTube channel for more captivating discoveries.
