Paradox Interactive and developer The Chinese Room just made a major U-turn on their monetization plans for Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2. All six playable vampire clans will now be included in the base game at launch, ditching the controversial plan to lock two clans behind a premium paywall.
The Lasombra and Toreador clans were originally slated as exclusive content for the Premium Edition. Not anymore. Both shadow-wielding Lasombra and charismatic Toreador vampires join Brujah, Ventrue, Tremere, and Banu Haqim in the standard release.
“Thanks to our community for the frank feedback on Bloodlines 2 and the Premium Edition,” said Marco Behrmann, White Wolf EVP and Bloodlines 2 Executive Producer. “That feedback made it clear: Lasombra and Toreador belong in the base game, so that is what we are doing.”
The reversal comes after significant pushback from fans who viewed clan selection as core to the vampire role-playing experience. In Vampire: The Masquerade, your clan defines your supernatural abilities, social standing, and entire playstyle. Locking any clan behind a paywall felt like charging extra for character classes in other RPGs.
Instead of clan DLC, Premium and Deluxe editions will now include post-launch story content. Paradox hasn’t revealed what these narrative expansions will contain or when they’ll arrive. The publisher promises more details soon about the restructured premium offerings.
This isn’t the first time Bloodlines 2 has changed course. The sequel to 2004’s cult classic has endured a notoriously rocky development. Originally announced in 2019 with Hardsuit Labs at the helm, the project was handed to The Chinese Room in 2021 after multiple delays.
The Chinese Room’s version features players as Phyre, an awakened elder vampire navigating modern Seattle’s vampire politics. The studio has been releasing clan spotlight trailers showcasing each bloodline’s unique disciplines and combat styles.
When good vampires do good things
Fans of the original Bloodlines might notice some familiar faces missing from the lineup. Popular clans like the insane Malkavians, hideous Nosferatu, and feral Gangrel haven’t been announced for the sequel. Whether these fan favorites will appear in future content remains a mystery.
The decision marks a rare win for gaming communities pushing back against aggressive DLC practices. By including all announced clans at launch, Paradox ensures players can fully explore different vampire fantasies without opening their wallets again. Now if only they could resurrect the game’s original 2020 release date with the same vampiric magic.
