Paradox Issues PlayStation Store Refunds Ahead of Bloodlines 2 DLC Changes

Paradox Issues PlayStation Store Refunds Ahead of Bloodlines 2 DLC Changes

In a significant shift ahead of the anticipated release of Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2, Paradox Interactive has announced that PlayStation Store preorders will be refunded. This decision comes in light of customer backlash regarding core content being locked behind a $30 DLC, a controversial move that has sparked widespread debate in the gaming community.

According to a report by Eurogamer, Paradox has urged customers to renew their preorders following planned adjustments to the game and its pricing structure. The announcement is particularly noteworthy given the game’s tumultuous development history, which has seen it transition between two studios.

Refund Process and Future Preorders

As stated by a Paradox representative on the Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines subreddit, all customers who pre-ordered the Premium Edition through the PlayStation Store will be contacted and refunded starting Monday, September 8th. They will have the opportunity to place a new preorder later, after the company reveals the adjustments on September 17th. The representative emphasized that this action is a strategic step to ensure the best possible experience at launch, which is scheduled for October 21st.

The necessity of this refund process appears to stem from the PlayStation Store’s policies, which do not allow for the kind of partial refunds that a price change would typically require. Conversely, Steam’s refund policy offers more flexibility, allowing customers to receive partial refunds for DLC that is canceled or delayed.

Community Backlash and Content Controversy

The decision to lock two of the six playable clans behind a premium DLC has not resonated well with fans. In the context of Vampire: The Masquerade, clans serve as a hybrid of race and character class, and the original Bloodlines game offered players a choice of seven clans. To illustrate the level of discontent, one can liken this scenario to a hypothetical situation in which a major RPG, such as Baldur’s Gate 3, restricts a significant portion of its classes through a premium DLC.

Following the backlash, Paradox announced that they would be reassessing the DLC and pricing structure in response to community feedback. However, gamers will need to wait until September 17th for a comprehensive outline of the planned changes.

A Turbulent Development Journey

Bloodlines 2 has faced a challenging development journey, initially being handled by Hardsuit Labs with a release date set for 2020. Following quality concerns, Paradox made the decision to transition the project to The Chinese Room, known for their work on Still Wakes the Deep. Despite these setbacks, early impressions from reviewers suggested that there was hope for redemption.

However, the decision to lock a third of the game’s playable classes behind a $30 DLC has significantly impacted the positive momentum that had begun to build. The overall cost of the game could potentially rise to $90, a prospect that has further exacerbated player dissatisfaction. The ideal resolution would involve incorporating all clans into the base game while adjusting the price of the Premium Edition accordingly. Yet, a simple price adjustment with two clans remaining as separate DLC is also a possibility, albeit one that players are hoping to avoid.