Vampire the Masquerade Bloodlines 2 studio responds to paid clans controversy

After many, many years of waiting, Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 seems to be on course to actually land in our laps this October. The long-awaited successor has been through developer changes and delays, but now it's real, we've played it, and it's set to launch in just a couple of months. Unfortunately, there's still controversy swirling, so we sat down with developer The Chinese Room at Gamescom 2025 to talk about the decision to lock two of its six playable factions behind a DLC paywall.

While the Toreador and Lasombra factions will be featured in Bloodlines 2, the pair are locked behind its paid DLC, Shadows and Silk, which is set to retail at $21.99. Without it, the core roster of Bloodlines 2 clans is limited to the Banu Haqim, Brujah, Tremere, and Ventrue. There's plenty of reason to be excited, however. Lauren's Vampire The Masquerade Bloodlines 2 preview suggests that, after all these years, it might actually deliver a sequel worthy of one of the best vampire games of all time.

During our conversation with The Chinese Room at Gamescom, a PR representative for publisher Paradox Interactive told PCGamesN: "It's not uncommon for games to come out with additional content, and given the nature of the game as it stands, where it's been through a lot, this is a way to get additional players in that have been asking for that content, and asking for those clans, on day one."

It's certainly good to see the shadow-stalking Lasombra and the graceful, glamorous Toreador represented at launch. Unfortunately, if you've had your heart set on either, you'll be required to purchase Shadows and Silk when the Vampire The Masquerade Bloodlines 2 release date hits.

For now, be sure to check in with the Vampire The Masquerade Bloodlines 2 system requirements to ensure it'll run on your rig. If not, we've got an updated guide to the best gaming PC in 2025 to suit your budget.

Give us your best Bloodlines 2 story speculation over at the PCGamesN community Discord server, and be sure to tell us which Bloodlines 2 clan you're playing first.