Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2

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Layoffs hit former Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 developer Hardsuit Labs

Following the studio's removal from the troubled sequel.
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Layoffs hit former Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 developer Hardsuit Labs​

Multiple employees at Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 developer Hardsuit Labs have reported being laid off in the week following the studio's removal from the troubled project.

In last week's earnings report, Paradox announced that Bloodlines 2 had been delayed indefinitely, and that Hardsuit would be replaced as the game's lead developer. Members of the game's narrative team have since announced on Twitter that the four-person department has been laid off, with redundancies affecting employees across the company.

I'm heartbroken to announce that I've been laid off from my position as a narrative designer at Hardsuit Labs - alongside the rest of the narrative department (and many others). All four of us are seeking new opportunities.March 1, 2021
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Not surprised, but I wonder when these issues started with Hardsuit Labs. Paradox acquired a 30% ownership in their company in 2017 IIRC. At this time it seems that it was Paradox which intervened to correct the course in which Hardsuit Labs is heading in. There is a lot which is not known to the public, but I have to ask why Paradox supported and trusted a new developer, who did push to develop the idea, to take on such a developer where they have a minimal interest.

Here is some background on how Paradox obtained the IP,

www.rockpapershotgun.com

Paradox Buys White Wolf - Including World Of Darkness & Vampire The Masquerade - From EVE Online Firm CCP

Update: There's now a press release with a couple of extra quotes. Update 2: A little more on what Paradox actually int…
www.rockpapershotgun.com www.rockpapershotgun.com

since I believe the idea was pushed in 2017, Paradox may have 'auctioned' this opportunity to their developer stable, and Hardsuit which was new to the stable with prior experience in this IP won it but the gamble and possible creative and management issues between the developer and publisher didn't pay dividends. I guess Paradox retracted the opportunity and dangled it to their other developers leaving Hardsuit without any crumbs.

Here is the thing, Paradox owns various developer studios, and I am sure they had the means to recruit devs within Hardsuit Labs over to other studios unless there is an agreement which prohibit such activities. Could it be that they did source a third-party developer?

I won't be surprised to see Paradox sell their stake in Hardsuit, but my best guess at this moment is that Hardsuit is likely to dissolve.

I am curious whether the developer will cry victim though... The Frogwares-Nacon case is quite something to behold at this time.
 
Fulcrum29 said:
--- snip ---

I am curious whether the developer will cry victim though... The Frogwares-Nacon case is quite something to behold at this time.
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That would be classy looking back to what happened with Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 1 x source engine, the partner they had chosen back then and the f'allout' resulting in the poor product.
 
Bloodlines 2 is such a mess at the moment. Paradox is not communicative. For a title which is stated as delayed to 2022 it looks to be rather dead. I would have thought Paradox to have announced the new dev, but nada. No marketing, no new trailers, and I would expect all the previous trailers to have been scrapped.

They still moderate the title's Steam discussion board, and can get bitchy, but zilt topics within their own discussion boards. I know that some peeps are struggling to get their money back on Steam, but apparently in the case you have troubles you need to get in touch with Paradox who will do the cancellation and so on.

I am not impressed by this. Paradox needs to communicate, and not keep the idea alive when they have other plans with the IP. Tencent and Sharkmob is launching Bloodhunt which is currently in early access on Steam, but I think Paradox is riding the IP on the Tencent train, and an agreement with Tencent might trouble the Bloodlines 2 development and perhaps there is such a deal to prioritise Bloodhunt monetisation.
 
Fulcrum29 said:
Bloodlines 2 is such a mess at the moment. Paradox is not communicative. For a title which is stated as delayed to 2022 it looks to be rather dead. I would have thought Paradox to have announced the new dev, but nada. No marketing, no new trailers, and I would expect all the previous trailers to have been scrapped.

They still moderate the title's Steam discussion board, and can get bitchy, but zilt topics within their own discussion boards. I know that some peeps are struggling to get their money back on Steam, but apparently in the case you have troubles you need to get in touch with Paradox who will do the cancellation and so on.

I am not impressed by this. Paradox needs to communicate, and not keep the idea alive when they have other plans with the IP. Tencent and Sharkmob is launching Bloodhunt which is currently in early access on Steam, but I think Paradox is riding the IP on the Tencent train, and an agreement with Tencent might trouble the Bloodlines 2 development and perhaps there is such a deal to prioritise Bloodhunt monetisation.
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I got my refund approved within an hour of sending the request. Steam policy on refunds on pre-orders are clear so strange that some would have an issue receiving the refund.

Sadly with no proper info coming from paradox this became my first ever steam refund.
 
stefan9 said:
I got my refund approved within an hour of sending the request. Steam policy on refunds on pre-orders are clear so strange that some would have an issue receiving the refund.

Sadly with no proper info coming from paradox this became my first ever steam refund.
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I have an idea that not everyone purchased the game on Steam.
 
So... I see Paradox gave a quick update on the game in a Q&A session related to something completely else, but the media had to ask the question. Not much to the update other than Paradox stating that they are happy with the game's progress, but that the game is not in a state in which the developer can be disclosed. Either the development is in anarchy, or they are avoiding any communication with the market which is understandable, BUT, the game has already been in pre-order hence already purchased, so it is a situation which requires transparency.
 
www.pcgamer.com

Paradox is 'happy with the progress' of Bloodlines 2, but won't reveal who is making it

No word on the vampire RPG's release date either.
www.pcgamer.com www.pcgamer.com

Paradox is 'happy with the progress' of Bloodlines 2, but won't reveal who is making it​


No word on the vampire RPG's release date either.

...

During the Q&A section of Paradox Interactive's Q3 interim report, the topic of Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 inevitably came up. The question asked was simply: "Any news on Bloodlines 2 or its developer?" To which Paradox CFO Alexander Bricca replied, "The new developer is doing quite well and we are happy with the progress of the project now, but it's still quite some time before we can start to talk about release dates."

...

"We prefer to give the studio a situation where they can focus fully on the game development," he continued, "and not having to address fans reaching out to them. So therefore we have so far not disclosed the name of the studio and we are very happy to keep it that way for still some time."

Prior to this, Paradox CEO Fredrik Wester has said Bloodlines 2 was almost canceled completely, until "we got a pitch that we thought was convincing enough to run". He described the replacement studio as "a very reputable and talented developer" that has shipped a number of games previously.

...

There are plenty of studios that could be, but if you'll bear with me as I power up the speculation engines for a second, Paradox did acquire Harebrained Schemes in 2018.
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Harebrained made Shadowrun, which is a good game, but not the best within its genre, and the game already born by Hardsuit Labs would be a great departure... Yes, they can hire, but I don't see Bloodlines 2 as presented to be at home with Harebrained, so I guess there will be some changes, perhaps radical changes… Time will tell.

I would not like to have this game cancelled, I still have it on pre-order, and Paradox basically encouraged people not to cancel, but then it got murky really quick.
 
Fulcrum29 said:
www.pcgamer.com

Paradox is 'happy with the progress' of Bloodlines 2, but won't reveal who is making it

No word on the vampire RPG's release date either.
www.pcgamer.com www.pcgamer.com



Harebrained made Shadowrun, which is a good game, but not the best within its genre, and the game already born by Hardsuit Labs would be a great departure... Yes, they can hire, but I don't see Bloodlines 2 as presented to be at home with Harebrained, so I guess there will be some changes, perhaps radical changes… Time will tell.

I would not like to have this game cancelled, I still have it on pre-order, and Paradox basically encouraged people not to cancel, but then it got murky really quick.
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Paradox?

So.


R6999 in DLC at launch?

Not really interested anymore after Paradox's butchery of Evil Genius 2
 
On a whim I paid about R200 for a pre-order many, many, many moons ago. Even if it is average I think will be a good deal. Ok maybe an ok deal. Ok maybe a meh deal.
 
www.thegamer.com

Paradox Opens Up Vampire: The Masquerade IP For Anyone To Develop, But On Questionable Terms

You can now make your own Vampire: The Masquerade game, but make sure you read the fine print.
www.thegamer.com www.thegamer.com

Paradox Opens Up Vampire: The Masquerade IP For Anyone To Develop, But On Questionable Terms​

You can now make your own Vampire: The Masquerade game, but make sure you read the fine print.

Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 had a tough development cycle to say the least. The development cycle has seen multiple delays, a series of layoffs, an entire dev team change, and almost getting scrapped entirely. It seems that Paradox Interactive has had enough of the development trouble and will now allow anyone to make a video game based on the IP.

Unbound is a program via which any developer can create a game using the lore and universe of the Vampire: The Masquerade. "Use Vampire: The Masquerade IP and create your own world within it," says the World of Darkness website. "In Unbound, you are responsible for the game you want to create and its contents, as long as you adhere to our Licensing Agreement and itch.io rules."
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They should cancel Bloodlines 2. It is a expectation which will derail the company.
 
Some are under the impression that Paradox might soon communicate,

https://twitter.com/x/status/1529023190743252994

Hey Twitter, we're looking for a Community Developer to work with some of our exciting unannounced titles. Can't say what now, but I can say it's not for PDS strategy games. Located in Stockholm (no remote). Hit me up if you have any questions ;)
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the thing is though, they don't need a community developer to communicate, and Bloodlines 2 isn't exactly a unannounced title.

The only games Paradox is technically working on are Bloodlines 2 and Victoria 3 (strategy). Many people are pissed at Paradox because they went quiet on Bloodlines 2, and they have a banhammer approach on the Bloodlines 2 Steam discussion page, the mods are quick to address criticism which may get community traction.
 
https://www.reddit.com/r/GamingLeaksAndRumours/comments/vihlv4


Project Vampire - The Masquerade: Bloodlines II
Role Visual Design, UI/UX
Client Paradox Interactive

I worked throughout 2018-2020 with Paradox Interactive & Hard Suit Labs on Vampire - The Masquerade: Bloodlines II, long anticipated sequel to the cult 2004 RPG.

My work ranged from creative feedback & suggestions, crafting styleframes for concept, visual, UI/UX and brand design, to combining narrative and player learning during the first play experience.

It was also bonus fun to jam with former collaborator & jedi master Anton Grandert on some visuals in this project :)
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The screenshots aren't bad, but seeing the bottom Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodhunt pic tells me that Bloodhunt would have been included in this game than being a standalone Battle Royale. Paradox did use the scraps, in my view, to put something out. To date, Paradox haven’t said a word, and commenting about this on their Steam discussion board can get you banned… Silly really, they took people’s money.

The comments on that Reddit thread…
 
I see Paradox stated that the game won't be shown at PDXCON 2022, either that what has been developed is open to public scrutiny, or they aren't planning to release it any time soon.
 

PARADOX: HOPPAS ÖKA ANTALET SPELSLÄPP PER ÅR KOMMANDE ÅREN - VD

www.privataaffarer.se www.privataaffarer.se

PARADOX: HOPE TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF GAME RELEASES PER YEAR IN THE COMING YEARS - CEO​

Bloodlines 2 was first announced in 2019 and after several delays, the developer was replaced last year. On that occasion, Fredrik Wester stated that he had very good hopes that it will be a good game that meets the players' expectations.

How does it feel now a year later?

"It feels very good about Bloodlines 2 and we will probably be able to set a launch date for this game reasonably soon. We feel that the game has been in very good hands and we are incredibly satisfied with what we have seen," says Fredrik Wester and adds that it's "absolutely not impossible" that Bloodlines 2 could launch sometime in 2023.
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www.paradoxinteractive.com

Bloodlines 2 - Update June 2023 - Paradox Interactive

Paradox Interactive is a world leading PC games publisher known for games such as Cities: Skylines, Europa Universalis and Crusader Kings.
www.paradoxinteractive.com www.paradoxinteractive.com

Dear Bloodlines fans,

It’s been quite a while between updates while we’ve had our heads down working on the game. We remain just as dedicated to delivering a great Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines game as we were when we announced, and are looking forward to showing you more in September this year.

We acknowledge it was a long time ago that many of you pre-ordered Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2. As development continues, we will be updating the game’s editions and bonus content, and we want to provide the best value to those of you who supported us via digital pre-order after all this time. We are thus offering refunds to anyone who has pre-ordered any edition of Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2. As part of this process, we are proactively refunding all pre-orders of physical products, including the Collector’s Edition. The digital versions of the First Blood Edition, Unsanctioned Edition and Blood Moon Edition remain, but can be refunded if you choose.

We’re excited to show you more and hope to have all of you with us in September when we reveal more. We know you are eager to see how the game is coming along so we’ve put together a fresh batch of screenshots to share with you.

For more information about refunds and how to submit your request, please visit our FAQ.

Until then, The Bloodlines Team
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