Paradox Takes $37M Hit on Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2
▼ Summary
– Paradox is writing down $37 million in development costs for Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 due to lower-than-expected sales and mixed reviews.
– The game sold approximately 121,500 copies on Steam, generating around $4 million in net revenue.
– CEO Frederik Wester acknowledged the sales shortfall and accepted full responsibility as the publisher, noting the game was outside their core expertise.
– Development shifted from Hardsuit Labs to The Chinese Studio, resulting in a more narrative-focused game that deviated from the original RPG formula.
– The studio anticipated fan backlash over the sequel’s differences and had considered avoiding the “Bloodlines 2” name to manage expectations.
Paradox Interactive has announced a significant financial write-down of SEK 355 million (approximately $37 million) for Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2, following disappointing initial sales. Despite the financial setback, the company confirmed it will still release both planned expansions for the game. Early performance data indicates the title sold roughly 121,500 copies on Steam, generating an estimated $4 million in net revenue. The game currently holds a “Mixed” review status on both Steam and Metacritic, reflecting a divided reception from players and critics.
CEO Frederik Wester addressed the situation directly, acknowledging the gap between expectations and reality. He stated that while the game delivers a compelling vampire fantasy and represents solid work from the development team, sales have not met the company’s projections. Wester emphasized that the responsibility rests entirely with Paradox as the publisher. He noted that the project fell outside their core expertise, which complicated their ability to accurately forecast its commercial performance. Moving forward, Paradox intends to concentrate its investments on core business segments while determining the best strategy for developing the broader World of Darkness brand portfolio.
The journey to release for Bloodlines 2 was long and turbulent. Paradox acquired the intellectual property in 2015 and initially partnered with Hardsuit Labs to develop a sequel more aligned with the beloved 2004 original. After two major delays and the departure of key senior creatives, Ka’ai Cluney and Brian Mitsoda, Paradox ended its agreement with Hardsuit Labs. Development was subsequently handed over to UK-based studio The Chinese Room, which crafted a more focused narrative experience, a departure from the original game’s expansive RPG design that ultimately failed to resonate strongly with its audience.
The development team was acutely aware of the challenges in meeting fan expectations for a direct sequel. Former creative director Dan Pinchbeck revealed in an interview that the studio even debated how to distance the new game from the Bloodlines 2 title. He explained that they recognized the impossibility of recreating the original game’s magic under the existing constraints of time and budget, and they wished to frame it as a distinct project rather than a direct successor.
Despite this specific title’s underperformance, Paradox’s overall financial health appears robust. The company’s latest trading update reported a 20% increase in operating profit for the first nine months of the year. Furthermore, Paradox anticipates that the fourth quarter will be one of the most active periods in its history, fueled by the launch of three new games and substantial updates to several of its flagship titles.
(Source: Games Industry)
