Paradox Interactive continues to experience headache after headache with the development of Vampire: The Masquerade: Bloodlines 2. The publishers already pushed back the game's release date by six months. Recently, Paradox announced further delays in the games department. Unfortunately for Paradox, a few months can't fix the departure of a development team.

DELAYED WITH NO END IN SIGHT

Ebba Ljungerud, Paradox Interactive CEO, revealed that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic caused several setbacks. Additionally, several other titles under Paradox apparently suffered setbacks as well. Bloodlines 2 received a harsher blow due to the pandemic with the official departure of developers Hardsuits Labs from the project.

“We have also decided that Hardsuit Labs will no longer be leading the development of Bloodlines 2, and we have started a collaboration with a new studio partner to finish work on the game. This has been a difficult decision, but we are convinced that it is the right way forward to do the game justice.”

The monumental development decision prompted Epic Games to remove any pre-purchase options for Bloodlines 2 on its digital storefront. Players and movers in the gaming industry instantly latched onto Paradox's declaration of an “indefinite delay.” It's difficult to remain hopeful and excited about a game when there's absolutely no end in sight.

Paradox pushed through with several risky decisions that could have also contributed to the game's delay. Critical members of the development team left the project one after the other. These departures preceded the announcement of Hardsuit Labs' departure from the project. By this point, Bloodlines 2 went through multiple hurdles and several problems. The fact that Paradox soldiers on despite their numerous setbacks deserves a little respect. Hopefully, the long and twisting development of Bloodlines 2 doesn't leave it in a mangled state.