Unfortunately, the Internet never forgets, so what the studio said nearly seven and a half years ago could hurt the publisher (and the owner of the World of Darkness IP), Paradox…

Paradox Interactive has confirmed who is developing the game after the publisher fell out with the original studio, Hardsuit Labs. The studio change has also had another consequence: the previously planned PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions were scrapped, but it was already possible when Paradox took the project from the previous studio. The Chinese Room is now developing the game, and we’ll have to wait until January for a full gameplay demo. Let’s finish the obligatory rounds first; then, we’ll return to the studio…

In a press release, the Chinese Room studio director Ed Daly wrote, “Vampire: The Masquerade holds a special place in our hearts. The story world’s dark setting, filled with intricate narratives built on top of modern society, perfectly fits our studio’s catalog. Bloodlines 2 is our most ambitious project to date. Fans of the franchise have been eagerly awaiting this game, and we are up to the challenge. We are bringing more than 15 years of award-winning experience to the project, creating a game that honors the legacy of its predecessor while bringing its gameplay to the modern era.”

Paradox Interactive vice president of World of Darkness Sean Greaney added, “We were immediately impressed when we saw The Chinese Room’s proposal for Bloodlines 2. They have a true passion for the source material, making them ideal partners to develop a story in the Vampire: The Masquerade setting that resonates with players. We are committed to making Bloodlines 2 a success. Bringing on a studio that shares our vision was critical to helping us achieve these goals. Fans of the franchise can rest assured knowing that Bloodlines 2 is in good hands, and we will have more to share with you in January.”

A little tidbit about the studio: “The Chinese Room, a Sumo Digital studio, is developing the highly-anticipated Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2. The Chinese Room brings its award-winning storytelling, creating a high-quality action RPG by talented developers with triple-A experience. Fans eager to sink their teeth into the game can look forward to the gameplay reveal in January 2024 and its launch in fall 2024. The Chinese Room is known for creating ground-breaking first-person titles that have won awards from BAFTA, TIGA, and more for their emotionally rich narratives. The studio’s world-class background makes them well-equipped to tell a Vampire story set in modern Seattle reimagined for a World of Darkness action RPG. Bloodlines 2 is the successor to the cult-classic Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines. It takes players to the dark underbelly of Seattle, where vampires struggle for survival and supremacy. As an Elder vampire, players meet compelling characters, maneuver complex political relationships, stalk the city streets for prey, and engage in intense combat while balancing blood needs. Players must always be mindful of their surroundings throughout the game or risk breaking the Masquerade—the absolute law of secrecy that keeps vampire society hidden from humanity.”

So, what’s the problem with The Chinese Room? In the spring of 2016, the studio tweeted in response to a GameSpot article (“Cyberpunk 2077 is more ambitious than The Witcher on every single front”) that “but just as sexist if that image is anything to go by.” This tweet is the most memorable thing the studio has made. The response that gets the most interaction reminds the reader of what The Chinese Room has worked on before: “I regret paying for Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs, Dear Esther, and Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture. Shame I can’t refund them. “Another response, “Screw this neo-puritan sex-negative noise,” but here is another thought-provoking response, “If something is sexy, it doesn’t mean it’s sexist. The Witcher 3 starts with Geralt naked in a bathtub. It goes both ways!”

The studio has essentially had no memorably high-quality games. Are you sure it was the right decision to entrust them with developing a sequel to a game that is still popular and beloved today? Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 will be released in autumn 2024 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC (Steam, GOG, Epic Games Store).

Source: Gematsu