Launching under the Unbound initiative are six Vampire: The Masquerade games, all participants in the Vampire Game Jam, with submissions open to developers around the world.
World of Darkness, the transmedia entertainment brand behind celebrated fantasy horror properties including Vampire: The Masquerade, Werewolf: The Apocalypse, and more, announced Unbound, an initiative allowing independent developers to create video games set in Vampire: The Masquerade 5th Edition and generate revenue from their work. Launching alongside Unbound is six games from the hugely successful Vampire Jam, a game jam where developers created more than 80 Vampire: The Masquerade titles. World of Darkness also revealed that Unbound submissions are available to independent studios and developers at: https://worldofdarkness.com/unbound
All games launching under the Unbound label will have a streamlined launch process and may receive additional marketing support from World of Darkness. While Unbound titles are not canonically part of the World of Darkness, it allows developers to express their creative freedom using the brand’s storytelling engine. All Unbound games will be available exclusively on itch.io, a store platform that has a history of strong support for independent projects.
“Following the Vampire Jam last year, we realized how passionate our community is about creating Vampire: The Masquerade games. While we could only award one grand prize to Heartless Lullaby, we knew we had to create a platform that empowered our community to work on the projects they love while giving them the support they need to be successful,” Martyna Zych, Community Developer for World of Darkness, said. “As long as World of Darkness fans continue making great games, there will be more titles coming through Unbound.”
All games submitted to Unbound must be set in the Vampire: The Masquerade 5th Edition story world to be considered for inclusion. After submission, the World of Darkness brand team will review and follow up with the studio about the results of their selection. More information about the Unbound submission process and criteria can be found here.
“Unbound gives us an opportunity for the first time in World of Darkness history where video game developers can use our IP commercially with ease and flexibility. This initiative continues World of Darkness’ long history of supporting UGC and the talented communities around Vampire: The Masquerade. Through World of Darkness Unbound, talented creators get access to a renowned-IP with a global audience to launch their vision.,” Sean Greaney, Vice President, World of Darkness, said. “Unbound gives independent studios an opportunity to build out a proof of concept, showcase it to our audience, and even open up opportunities to work with the brand on a deeper level.”
