Major changes have been made to the development team behind Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2, including the dismissal of two key figures.
Last week, developer Hardsuit Labs and publisher Paradox Interactive announced that the game was delayed in 2021 and planned organizational changes for the rest of the project.
These changes are now detailed in a statement on the Bloodlines 2 website.
Lead narrative designer Brian Mitsoda – who wrote and designed the original Bloodlines – and creative director Ka’ai Cluney are no longer part of the team.
The decision was “made by the leadership of Hardsuit Labs and Paradox Interactive.” No reason for her dismissal is given.
In his statement to GamesIndustry.biz sister website Rock Paper Shotgun, Mitsoda says his role on July 16 was “abruptly terminated”.
“That this came as a shock to me presupposes it,” he said. “I worked on Bloodlines 2 for almost five years. The story and the lead role were initially thought of in my living room. I helped develop the stage for Hardsuit Labs and helped repeat the project after Paradox in Las Vegas. I have been in charge of the story since the beginning, working long days and sometimes weekends to deliver a sequel to Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines, and I’m never led to believe I did not succeed. “
He adds that he was also involved in the PR and marketing side of things, despite the fact that press and crowds “trigger my social anxiety”, which “took a mental and physical toll” on the designer.
Rock Paper Shotgun notes that his name often appears prominently in marketing materials such as trailers, given his role on the original.
“I am incredibly disappointed and frustrated to say that this is where it ends for me on the project,” Mitsoda continued. “I was not part of the conversations that led to the decision to delay production, and to my knowledge there were no delays caused by the narrative development of Bloodlines 2.
“It was a pleasure working on this game and with a lot of people at Hardsuit Labs and Paradox and I’m sorry I can’t see it to the end.”
In their own statement, Hardsuit and Paradox said: “We appreciate, and appreciate the contributions of Brian and Ka’ai, who were instrumental in establishing the storyline and dark tone of the game and have helped to ensure that we make a real successor to the iconic bloodlines.
“We wish them both the best in their future endeavors.”
Cluney’s replacement is Alexandre Mandryka, who will assume the position of creative adviser. He has more than 20 years of experience working on games in the Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry and Warhammer 40,000 franchises.
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