Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 Developers Reconsider DLC Plans After Fan Backlash

Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 is heading for release this October, but controversy around its clan system has pushed developer The Chinese Room to rethink its original DLC strategy.

Earlier this month, during Gamescom, the studio announced that while the base game will feature four playable clans — Brujah, Tremere, Banu Haqim, and Ventrue — two additional clans, Lasombra and Toreador, would be locked behind the Shadows and Silk add-on pack.

Priced at $21.99, this DLC was also bundled into the game’s pricier Premium Edition (at $89.99). That decision didn’t sit well with fans, many of whom argued that it felt like the full launch experience was being split up and sold separately.

The backlash was quick. In response, community developer DebbieElla addressed the criticism directly in the official Bloodlines 2 Discord. “We are listening to your feedback about the Lasombra and Toreador clan access, and we’re making adjustments ahead of launch to reflect this,” they wrote. While no concrete details have been shared yet, the statement suggests that some form of change is coming before the October 21 launch.

For longtime fans, the concern is understandable. In the original 2004 cult-classic Bloodlines, players could choose from seven clans right from the start, each with unique powers and playstyles. In Bloodlines 2, clans once again define core abilities — with Toreador focused on seduction and artistry, and Lasombra mastering shadow manipulation. However, by walling these off as paid content from day one, players felt they were being asked to pay extra for what should have been part of the base experience.

The Chinese Room initially defended the move at Gamescom, explaining that the two clans were developed as “additional work” at the request of publisher Paradox Interactive. According to reports by IGN, Paradox even called it a “business decision.” But given the intensity of the fan response, sticking to that plan may have risked souring the launch of a game already under heavy scrutiny.

It’s worth remembering that Bloodlines 2 has had one of the most troubled developments in recent memory. Originally revealed in 2019 under Hardsuit Labs, the project faced repeated delays, leadership changes, and even a complete studio switch before landing with The Chinese Room. Over time, features like character creation, traditional RPG stat systems, and morality mechanics have been stripped away, leaving fans wary of whether this sequel will truly live up to its predecessor.

Now all eyes are on October 21, when Bloodlines 2 finally lands on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.