Paradox Interactive, the well-known game developer, has recently announced that they will be parting ways with the development of Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 3. In a candid interview with PC Gamer, deputy CEO Mattias Lilja revealed that the company will not be pursuing RPGs in the future, focusing instead on their expertise in strategy games. This decision comes after a series of problematic releases and reports of a toxic work environment within the company.
Lilja stated that if Bloodlines 2 is successful, any potential sequel will be developed by another studio under license from Paradox Interactive. Despite owning the rights to Vampire: The Masquerade, Lilja referred to the franchise as a “dead end” for the company, indicating a shift in their strategic direction. While Lilja did not elaborate on the future plans for White Wolf Publishing, it seems likely that any future RPGs set in the World of Darkness universe will be outsourced to external developers.
Following the initial statement, Lilja clarified in a follow-up statement to IGN that Paradox Interactive remains committed to the World of Darkness franchise and will continue to support Vampire: The Masquerade. He emphasized that the decision to hand over development of Bloodlines 3 to another studio does not mean that Paradox is abandoning the series altogether. The Chinese Room, the current developers of Bloodlines 2, have the full support of Paradox Interactive in bringing the game to completion.
Despite the challenges faced during the development of Bloodlines 2, including delays and changes in development teams, Paradox Interactive is aiming for a first half of 2025 release for the game. Lilja expressed confidence in The Chinese Room’s ability to deliver a compelling gaming experience while acknowledging the commercial challenges that the project may encounter.
Overall, the decision to step back from RPGs and focus on strategy games reflects Paradox Interactive’s commitment to playing to its strengths as a game developer. While the future of the Vampire: The Masquerade series may involve collaboration with external studios, fans can look forward to new additions to the World of Darkness universe in the coming years.
