The air around Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 has been filled with anticipation and curiosity. Nearly a month post-release, Dan Pinchbeck, former Creative Director and The Chinese Room Studio Head, shared insights into the game’s tumultuous development in a candid interview.
The Challenges of Developing Bloodlines 2
Reports suggest that Pinchbeck was initially hesitant to label the game as Bloodlines 2. The Chinese Room had stepped in to salvage the project after Paradox Interactive parted ways with the original developers, Hardsuit Labs. Faced with limited resources, they pivoted to crafting a more focused experience akin to Dishonored. Pinchbeck revealed that achieving a true sequel was beyond their means, given the constraints they faced.
“…this isn’t Bloodlines 2. You can’t make Bloodlines 2. There’s not enough time. There’s not enough money…” he remarked, highlighting the challenge of recreating the original’s magic in today’s gaming landscape.
A New Vision for Bloodlines
Despite the hurdles, the team aimed to deliver a tightly focused game that remained true to the Vampire mythos. They envisioned a future where a larger Bloodlines game could thrive, once the current limitations were overcome. Yet, sales figures have not been encouraging. According to data estimates, only between 120K and 300K copies have been sold on Steam, casting doubt on the possibility of a grander sequel.
While Bloodlines 2 may not have met some expectations, it offers a unique experience for dedicated fans of the series. In my review, I noted that the game holds value, particularly when available at a reduced price. This might become a reality sooner than anticipated.