Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 fired lead narrator Brian Mitsoda. Developer Hardsuit Labs removed Mitsoda together with Creative Director Ka’ai Cluney.
Last week, Hardsuit Labs announced they’re delaying Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 to 2021. Subsequently, with the reveal, they note that there are “other organizational changes” on the way.
The changes they noted included removing Mitsoda, the lead writer for the original Bloodlines. The writer did not expect the entire event.
Mitsoda and Cluney removal is a joint decision
According to a statement, the decision to remove Mitsoda was a joint decision. Dev team Hardsuit Labs and publisher Paradox Interactive were unanimous in the removal.
“Lead Narrative Designer Brian Mitsoda and Creative Director Ka’ai Cluney are no longer part of the team at Hardsuit Labs,” the statement notes on the website. “This was a joint decision made by the leadership of Hardsuit Labs and Paradox Interactive.”
“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.”
In place of Cluney, Alexandre Mandryka will fill in the Creative Consultant role. He will help the company in the final stages of development for the title. Hardsuit is yet to announce if there will be someone to fill Mitsoda’s role.
Mitsoda blindsided by termination
Brian Mitsoda spoke about his removal from Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2. In an email interview, he notes that he was “suddenly terminated on July 16.” He further said that “this [his termination] came as a shock to me is underselling it.”
“I’ve worked on Bloodlines 2 for almost five years. The story and main cast was initially conceived in my living room,” he further said. “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.”
“Bloodlines and the fandom of the game mean the world to me. So I lent my legacy with the franchise, my name, and my participation in marketing efforts for the game, even when it was intensely difficult and took a mental and physical toll.”
Mitsoda further noted that he wasn’t aware of why there were recurring delays. The narrative development of Bloodlines 2, according to him, was not the problem. Removal of two key names in Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2, however, spells trouble.
Featured image courtesy of Bloodlines 2