Publisher Responds to Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 DLC Controversy
It seems the wave of negative feedback regarding the paid DLC clans in Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 has prompted a response. Publisher Paradox Interactive and developer The Chinese Room have announced their intention to "make adjustments" before the game's release, following widespread community outrage.
For those who missed the initial controversy, two of the six playable clans in Bloodlines 2—Lasombra and Toreador—were revealed to be locked behind a paywall. These clans are part of the "Shadows and Silk" DLC, which is sold separately or included in the game's premium edition, costing a substantial amount (nearly 5000 Russian rubles, for reference). The DLC is set to be available on day one, leading many players to believe these clans are essentially cut content being sold for extra profit.
The situation was further inflamed by a previous comment from the publisher suggesting that "players themselves asked for these clans at launch," which only added fuel to the fire.
However, the companies have now changed their tune. In a recent social media post, they stated: "We are listening to you about the Lasombra and Toreador clan access, and we’re making adjustments to reflect this." They also promised to share more information as soon as possible, while also inviting fans to a gameplay stream today, August 26, at 5 PM CEST on Twitch, where more of the game will be shown off.
What exactly these "adjustments" will entail remains unclear. There's a chance the two clans might be integrated into the base game, but Paradox could also choose a different path. Adding the "Shadows and Silk" content to the main game could, for instance, diminish the unique appeal of the premium edition compared to a deluxe version, posing a challenge for the publisher.
Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 is scheduled to release on October 21 for PC (via Steam, GOG, and Epic Games Store), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, with Russian subtitles confirmed. Players eagerly awaiting the game will surely be keeping a close eye on further announcements regarding this development, hoping for a more player-friendly approach to content access.
Post a Comment