Paradox Interactive has launched a program called Unbound, which will allow indie developers to create new games using IPs such as Vampire: the Masquerade, Werewolf: the Apocalypse, and Wraith: the Oblivion.
The "Unbounded" project is affiliated with the "World of Darkness", which was first published by White Wolf Publishing, a subsidiary of Paradox Interactive. After white wolf press's Vampire Escape gamer manual controversially described LGBTQ+, Paradox took a greater grip on the IP's titles.
The "Unbounded" project invites independent developers to create new games set in the world of the desktop RPG Vampire Escape. The game needs to be based on the fifth edition of the Vampire Escape rulebook, and the successfully selected games will be released through the Itch.io platform.
Under the license agreement, during the development phase, developers can only use YouTube, Patreon, Twitch and other tipping channels to obtain funds, and crowdfunding sites and personal websites will not be allowed to raise funds. Paradox, while waiving all IP licensing fees, will take a 33% share of the game's post-launch sales revenue, all of which are at the developer's own disposal. However, any assets that do not directly use the Dark World IP elements are owned by the developer and can be reused and distributed as desired by the developers, such as art collections, soundtracks, and kits.
The Dark World website notes that while games under the Unbounded Plan won't become an orthodox part of the vampire universe, developers will be allowed to "express their creative freedom," and in part encourage fans of the Dark World to create fandoms.
The first 6 Unbounded Project games have been selected from previously successful Vampire Game Creation Conference titles, including:
The game "Heartless Lullaby", which previously won the "Vampire Game Writing Conference", has landed on the Steam platform on April 22.
The Vampire: Escape IP has long had a loyal following in the gaming world, thanks to the classic cult RPG title Vampire Escape Blood Clan, released in 2004. A sequel to the game is currently in development and was originally scheduled to launch in 2021. Due to various development difficulties, Paradox decided to abandon the original developer, Hardsuit Labs, and handed over the work to another "well-known developer", with no further news at present.