Unlike the title’s original version, which was in development at Hardsuit Labs, The Chinese Room’s project is built on Unreal 5.
Paradox Interactive has, at long last, officially re-revealed Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2, with The Chinese Room – known for the likes of Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture and Dear Esther – taking over as the developer from Hardsuit Labs. And even though plenty of work done by the original developer is still being used for the new project, the new studio in charge has made some significant changes behind the scenes.
For instance, as confirmed in an interview with Paradox’s vice president of the World of Darkness IP Sean Greaney published by Digital Trends, though Hardsuit Labs was developing Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 on Unreal Engine 4, The Chinese Room has shifted development to Unreal Engien 5.
Precisely what technical and visual upgrades that will enable remains to be seen – especially with the game no longer being cross-gen, contrary to what was previously planned – but with Paradox planning to release new details on the action RPG sequel later this year, we should find out soon enough.
Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 is scheduled to launch in Fall 2024 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, and Paradox is confident that it won’t be delayed again.