Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 developer The Chinese Room has been hit by a round of layoffs, though the studio assures fans that the anticipated vampire RPG is still on track to launch in 2025. A number of former employees who were let go in the layoffs took to social media to voice their frustrations and confirm their departure.
“We are none of us safe from the headsman’s axe when redundancy time comes around,” wrote one former The Chinese Room developer who was let go following the recent round of layoffs. “The scourge of redundancy has struck, and so I’m looking for new opportunities,” wrote VFX artist Jamie Berry on LinkedIn, who was also part of the layoffs. 3D animator Bradley Adams also wrote, “My current role and many others have been affected by recent events and so I am seeking a new opportunity.”
The layoffs could be a part of The Chinese Room’s parent company Sumo Digital, which acquired the studio back in 2018, and its ongoing struggles. Since then, Sumo Digital laid off roughly 15% of its workforce and warned that its “strategic decision to focus Sumo Digital exclusively on development services for partners” would have a significant “impact on our studios and people.”
Publisher Paradox Interactive took to social media to assure fans that development on Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 was still progressing smoothly despite the layoffs at the company:
“Development on Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 is unaffected by the recent staffing changes at The Chinese Room; the game is still scheduled for an October release. We wish those affected the best of luck on their future endeavors.”
Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 launches this October 2025 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC. The Chinese Room previously confirmed that the upcoming RPG will have romance options, though it won’t be the sweet and charming kind that players might be expecting.
Source: PC Gamer
