Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 Narrative Lead Brian Mitsoda Has Been Fired

Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 narrative lead Brian Mitsoda has been "suddenly terminated" from his position on the game. In a press statement, publisher Paradox Interactive confirmed that Mitsoda and creative director Ka’ai Cluney were no longer employed at Hardsuit Labs, the studio handling development on Bloodlines 2.

"This was a joint decision made by the leadership of Hardsuit Labs and Paradox Interactive," Paradox wrote on its website. "We appreciate, and value, the contributions of Brian and Ka’ai, which were instrumental in establishing the game's storyline and dark tone and have helped to ensure that we are making a true successor to the iconic Bloodlines. We wish them both the best in their future endeavors."

Mitsoda has been replaced by Alexandre Mandryka, who will fill the vacant role as creative consultant on Bloodlines 2. Having been the lead writer on the original Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines at Troika Games, Mitsoda was used to give the project an air of legacy and credibility when it was shown off in trailers and at events.

In a statement to Rock Paper Shotgun, Mitsoda expressed his own disappointment in his dismissal, which took him by surprise. "That this came as a shock to me is underselling it," Mitsoda said.

"I’ve worked on Bloodlines 2 for almost five years. The story and main cast was initially conceived in my living room. I helped develop the pitch for Hardsuit Labs and helped pitch the project to Paradox in Las Vegas. I’ve been in charge of the narrative since the beginning, working long days and sometimes weekends to deliver a successor to Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines, and I’ve never been led to believe that I hadn’t succeeded. "

"I was not part of the conversations that led to the decision to delay production, and to my knowledge, there were no delays caused by the Bloodlines 2 narrative development. I am confident and proud of the work that I and my team put forward. When that work will be seen and what form it will take is unknown to me."

Bloodlines 2 was recently hit with another delay, moving its release date towards 2021. Confirmed for next gen consoles PS5 and Xbox Series X, the sequel will also release on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. The Vampire franchise won’t be out of the 2020 game release picture entirely, as the Shadow of New York visual novel will release before the end of the year.