Paradox Interactive is feeling the impact of disappointing sales for Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2. The company announced a significant write-down of SEK 355 million (about $37 million) in development costs, citing early sales that didn’t meet expectations following mixed reviews.
Recent data from GameDiscoverCo shows that the game sold around 121,500 copies on Steam, bringing in roughly $4 million in revenue. Its reviews on Steam and Metacritic range from mixed to lukewarm, highlighting a disconnect between fan expectations and the final product.
CEO Frederik Wester expressed disappointment but acknowledged the developers’ efforts. He noted, “We had high hopes, but sales have not matched our projections, which requires us to take this write-down.” He emphasized that the responsibility for this outcome lies with the company as the publisher.
Paradox had high stakes in this project, having acquired the intellectual property in 2015. Initially, the game was being developed by Hardsuit Labs, which aimed to create a sequel that closely resembled the cult-classic original from 2004. However, due to delays and creative staff changes, Paradox switched to The Chinese Room. This new studio focused on crafting a tighter narrative, but the final result still disappointed many fans.
The team anticipated some backlash, especially about their approach to the beloved original. Former creative director Dan Pinchbeck mentioned on the Goth Boss podcast how they struggled with the title. “We wanted to move away from Bloodlines 2,” he said, acknowledging the challenge of steering the game apart from the original.
Despite these struggles, Paradox remains optimistic. In its latest trading update, the company reported a 20% increase in operating profit for the first nine months of the year. It foresees an intense fourth quarter with three game launches and updates for existing titles.
The reaction on social media reflects mixed feelings from fans, many of whom are expressing disappointment but still hope for improvements in future expansions. This sentiment shows that while the game didn’t hit the mark, there remains an audience eager for the rich lore and world of Vampire: The Masquerade.
In summary, Bloodlines 2 faced challenges that resulted in disappointing sales, but Paradox is looking to the future, planning to refocus on its core strengths while still working to cultivate its brand in the gaming world.
