Sony Deems PS4 Exclusive 'Bloodborne' Invaluable To Console's Success

Few games this generation enjoy the sort of fan loyalty and mass hysteria surrounding From Software's challenging hack-and-slash RPG "Bloodborne." The game is said to be the definitive console exclusive in the current generation that is truly worthy of justifying a console purchase on its own accord. Since the game is exclusive to the PS4, Sony believes that its importance to the console is "invaluable."

The company's hopes for the upcoming fantasy RPG game were expressed by PlayStation UK Product Manager Joe Palmer in the latest print issue of MCV while discussing the marketing strategy for impending worldwide release. The executive underscored that "Bloodborne's" link with its spiritual predecessors and the inherent likeness and crucial differences with the Souls games (Dark Souls and Demon's Souls) are the key to success, according to Gamespot. The marketing push for the game will underscore this link to the past games, while also pointing out the exciting new changes to the overall gameplay.

"The Souls games are phenomenally popular, so ensuring that fans are aware of the common ground they share with Bloodborne is a vital part of our strategy," Palmer explained during the interview. "However, it's not just the similarities with previous From Software games that we want to communicate – how Bloodborne differs from the Souls series will be at the forefront of our communications."

The lacklustre performance of "The Order: 1886," which was supposed to be the PlayStation 4's trump card in the exclusive title game, and the postponement of "Uncharted 4" to 2016 means that a lot rides on the back of "Bloodborne" for Sony. The Japanese console maker, therefore, won't be leaving any stone unturned while promoting the game.

Videogamer cites Palmer hinting at a post-release marketing strategy that will dynamically evolve according to the press reaction to the game. The publicity department for the game has already resorted to rather creative measures to promote the game. Danish gamers, for example, will be receiving a free copy of the game provided they donate blood.

Just to make it clear, the blood donation is meant to help create awareness for the country's blood donation campaign. "Bloodborne" hits the store shelves on Tuesday March 24 in the U.S., whereas the UK, EU and Japan will receive the game a bit later on March 25, 26 and 26, respectively.

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The Shape of Bloodborne: What to Expect (credit: VaatiVidya YouTube channel)