During an interview with Swedish magazine Privata Affarer, Fredrik Wester, CEO for game publisher Paradox Interactive, stated that the long awaited game Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 could possibly release sometime in 2023.
Wester says that he “feels very good about Bloodlines 2” and that “it’s absolutely not impossible that Bloodlines 2 could launch sometime in 2023.”
Bloodlines 2 began development shortly after Paradox Interactive purchased the rights in 2015. Originally being developed by Hardsuit Labs, the game was delayed in 2019, before being indefinitely put on hold in 2020 after numerous controversies, including sexual assault allegations towards a lead game designer and writer.
In 2021, Paradox Interactive stated that the game was still in development by a still unnamed studio, but little to no updates have been given since.
Wester’s vote of confidence towards Bloodlines 2‘s development should provide hope to gamers that the game will finally see the light of the moon (I would say day, but that might kill this project), and a potential 2023 launch is mighty positive news for a game once thought deceased.
The game is a sequel to the 2004 action RPG cult hit Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines. Initially selling poorly, Bloodlines later acquired a cult following, and is widely considered a masterpiece and ahead of its time despite its noticeable flaws. The game lets players create their own vampire fledgling before setting them loose in a semi-open world Los Angeles, where they will strive to survive in a city filled with thugs, vamps, and other creatures of the night.
Both games are part of the World of Darkness tabletop RPG series, which includes Werewolf: The Apocalypse, Mage: The Ascension, Wraith: The Oblivion, Changeling: The Dreaming, and of course Vampire: The Masquerade; Paradox Interactive bought the property in 2015 from White Wolf Publishing and CCP Games.
In addition to the Bloodlines games, other Vampire: The Masquerade video games include 2000’s RPG Redemption, 2019’s visual novel Coteries of New York, 2022’s RPG Swansong, and 2022’s free-to-play battle royale Bloodhunt.
Are you a fan of the Vampire: The Masquerade series? If so, what do you hope to see in Bloodlines 2? Do you believe a 2023 release date is being too confident? Let us know your opinions in the comments below and on our social media platforms!
Source: Privata Affarer (via Exputer)
