The Chinese Room Faces Layoffs Ahead of Bloodlines 2 Release
The Chinese Room has announced layoffs, although Paradox Interactive assures fans that the upcoming game Bloodlines 2 is still on track for release in October.
A wave of layoffs at The Chinese Room has come to light just as the studio prepares for the release of its highly anticipated game, Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2. Although the developer is facing staff reductions, publisher Paradox Interactive confirmed that this will not delay the game’s release, scheduled for October.
The news broke via LinkedIn, with various former employees sharing their experiences. VFX artist Jamie Berry commented, “The scourge of redundancy has struck, and so I’m looking for new opportunities.” Similarly, technical producer Pascal Siddons mentioned the insecurity that comes with layoffs, stating, “We are none of us safe from the headsman’s axe when redundancy time comes around.”
3D animator Bradley Adams and senior environment artist Adam Sharp echoed these sentiments, both noting that their roles were impacted and that they are now searching for new work.
The layoffs appear to stem from broader challenges at Sumo Digital, which acquired The Chinese Room in 2018. In recent months, Sumo has faced its own difficulties, including significant workforce reductions. Despite these setbacks, Bloodlines 2 remains a priority, with Paradox expressing confidence in the development team.
A representative stated that the game will still meet its October deadline, wishing all affected workers the best in their future endeavors.
