Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 delayed out of 2024 — here’s what you need to know

Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 delayed out of 2024 — here's what you need to know

What you need to know

  • Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 is being delayed out of 2024, and is now expected to arrive at some point in 2025. 
  • This role-playing game was first in development at Hardsuit Labs, before development restarted at The Chinese Room in 2021. 
  • The game centers around an Elder vampire named Phyre waking up in Seattle during a snowstorm as a vampiric power struggle unfolds.

As a seasoned tech enthusiast with fond memories of the original Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines etched deep into my gaming history, I must admit that the news about its long-awaited sequel being delayed yet again has left me feeling a mix of emotions.


Fans eagerly awaiting the next installment of the vampire role-playing game have been waiting for years, but it requires a bit more time to perfect before its release.

On Tuesday, Developer The Chinese Room and publisher Paradox Interactive announced that Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 will not be released during its previously anticipated Fall 2024 window but is now scheduled to launch within the first half of 2025. This delay is intended for further refinement and polishing, with the game currently in its final stages of development, as confirmed by creative director Alex Skidmore.

In a recent update video, Mattias Lilja, deputy CEO at Paradox Interactive, emphasized that the company remains dedicated to creating top-notch games, with Bloodlines 2 being no exception. This game holds significant importance for both Paradox Interactive and the World of Darkness. You can view the update below:

Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 has faced a lengthy journey to release; its development commenced in 2019 under Seattle-based studio Hardsuit Labs, following the success of the original 2004 role-playing game. However, after certain staff departures, publisher Paradox Interactive announced in February 2021 that the game would be postponed from its initial 2021 launch and that Hardsuit Labs would no longer be involved in its completion.

2023 marked a resurgence of the title as it was announced that The Chinese Room had assumed control of its development. Notably, The Chinese Room maintained the Seattle locale in the game, yet significantly modified numerous elements such as game mechanics and storyline, particularly emphasizing the narrative change.

In “Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2,” players assume the character of an awakened ancient vampire named Phyre. The city of Seattle is experiencing both internal vampire power struggles and an impending blizzard.

The upcoming game, Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2, is planned for release on Xbox Series X|S, Windows computers (encompassing Steam and GOG platforms), and PlayStation 5.

Analysis: Hoping for the best

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I’ve seen countless games go through rocky development cycles, only to emerge as polished masterpieces that were worth the wait. This game, with its troubled past, has stirred up a fair amount of skepticism in me, but having witnessed the dedication and passion of both Paradox and The Chinese Room, I find myself hopeful.

The original Bloodlines game is famed for the player freedom it offered, and there’s a common joke today that whenever it’s mentioned, someone reinstalls it. I’ve been eagerly awaiting the sequel since former editor Carli Velocci wrote a sneak peek about what to anticipate. Despite the game’s significant transformation, Seattle seems to be longing for another round of bloodshed.

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2024-08-20 20:39