Sony Worldwide Studios boss Shuhei Yoshida has reiterated that Bloodborne, the PlayStation 4-exclusive gothic horror from From Software, is not true successor to Demon’s Souls.
Speaking with Polygon at E3 this week, the executive said that while the game has been inspired by 2009’s notoriously brutal hack-’n-slash title, it’s an entirely new IP altogether.
The project also gave the company a chance to work with creator Hidetaka Miyazaki again.
“We had an opportunity to reopen the relationship," said Yoshida-san. "And going into the launch of PS4, our producers proposed that we should work together with the From team and Miyazaki-san to make something new on a new platform.
"That resonated really well with Miyazaki-san."
Despite its similarities, Bloodborne takes place in a new universe to Demon’s Souls. The game is set in the 19th century, and involves battles against demonic creatures against the backdrop of some stunning gothic-inspired architecture.
"The end result," he continued. "Has a definite feel that comes from the team, but the gameplay mechanics and the characters are brand new, pretty much.
"It’s very challenging and rewarding at the same time," he said.
Will we see another Demon’s Souls? Right now, Yoshida-san made it clear nothing is on the cards.
"So we are not thinking about doing anything else, just focused on Bloodborne,” he said.
Read our impressions of Bloodborne here.