View source for Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines

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{{Infobox game
|title = Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines
|image = Software Cover - VTMB.jpg
|developer = [[WP:Troika Games|Troika Games]]
|publisher = [[WP:Activision|Activision]]</br>Electronic Arts (Brazil)
|series = Vampire: The Masquerade
|releasedates = Nov 16, 2004
|genre = [[WP:Action role-playing|Action role-playing]]
|mode = Singleplayer
|platform = {{win|1}}
|engine = {{src|4}} ([[Source 2004|Beta version]])
|appid = 2600
|codelang = [[WP:C++|C++]], {{python|1}} (scripting)
|modsupport = Unofficially with Unofficial Patch
|sdk = None (officially)</br>Bloodline SDK (Unofficial Patch)
|sysreq = <span></span>
* OS: Win {{w|icon=0|Windows 98|98}}, {{w|icon=0|Windows ME|ME}}, {{w|icon=0|Windows 2000|2000}}, {{w|icon=0|Windows XP|XP}} or later
* CPU: 1.2 {{w|icon=0|Hertz|GHz}} or higher (AMD Athlon or Intel Pentium III)
* RAM: 384 {{w|icon=0|Megabyte|MB}}
* Storage: 4.7 GB disk space
* GPU: 64 MB {{w|icon=0|Video random-access memory|VRAM}} video card, [[WP:Direct3D|Direct3D]] 9.0 ([[DirectX Versions|feature level]] 7.0 or higher) [[WP:Video card|video card]]
* Important: Unofficial Patch may only works properly when running on Windows XP or newer.
|steamdeck =
|distribution = Retail, {{steamicon|1}}, {{gog|icon=no}}
|website = 
|links = {{Steam store|app/2600|VTMB on Steam}}</br>{{gog|vampire_the_masquerade_bloodlines|VTMB on GOG.com}}
|previousgame = 
|nextgame = {{Wiki|Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2}}
}}

{{vtmb|4}} delivers a new type of RPG experience-one that blends all the core elements of a traditional RPG with the graphical richness, immediacy and brutal combat of a first-person action game. The game plunges players into the dark and gritty vampire underworld of modern-day L.A. as a creature of the night. Players will develop their character's powers, interact with other characters and embark on story-driven quests as they battle mortals and other vampires with an incredible array of vampire powers and weapons. Powered by Valve's Source Technology, the game is based on White Wolf's popular Vampire: The Masquerade pen-and-paper RPG series and its official clans.

As a recently-sired vampire, you must traverse the dark world of modern-day Los Angeles-from raver clubs and the secret underground caverns of Downtown to seedy hotels and exclusive mansions on Hollywood's infamous Sunset Strip. Embark on a variety of story-driven quests as you explore an open world filled with side missions, multiple pathways and characters to interact with. Yours is a living world, even though you cease to be.

The game was known for its troubled development, due to the [[Source]] engine being unfinished at the time of development, and despite the game being unfinished and currently in a buggy state while also still running on an unfinished version of Source, the game was forced to be released by the game publisher, [[WP:Activision|Activision]]. The developer of the game eventually went bankrupt later in February 2005.

A sequel to {{vtmb|1}}, '''[[WP:Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2|Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2]]''', is currently in development, and was planned to be released in October 2025, the sequel will be instead powered by {{ue|2|nt=5}}, and developed by the same studio that developed {{Desther|4}}.

== Features ==
; [[Bink]] video
: First Source game to use Bink video prior to {{Src07|4}}. Used for game intro.
; {{python|2}} scripting
: The game uses Python (version 2.1.17) for scripting RPG scenarios.
; Custom [[VPK (file format)/Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines|VPK]] package format
: While sharing the same file extension as Valve's VPK files used since the {{l4dbranch|1}} (includes {{src13|1}}), VTMB uses a different package format.
: {{vpkedit|1}} and PackFile Explorer (shipped with Unofficial Patch's Bloodlines SDK) can open {{vtmb|1}}'s VPK files.

== Technical info ==
The engine that powers {{vtmb|4}} was based off the modified version of {{hl2|3.1}}'s Beta engine (unofficially Source 2003), rather than {{src04|3}}. Textures are stored in TTH files, which are optionally accompanied by TTZ files with the same filename. These files are a container around [[VTF]]: TTH stores metadata as well as some or all of the [[VTF]] file uncompressed, while TTZ, if present, stored the rest of the [[VTF]] file compressed with the ZLib algorithm. Unlike {{hl2|4}}, VTMB does not properly support widescreen resolutions without a patch, as the HUD will get stretched out.

Some of the graphics settings (except bumpmapping, LODs, shadows and particles) in VTMB can be only changed through console commands ({{code|mat_picmip}} for textures). This would be problematic because running VTMB on modern hardware (with graphics cards capable of reaching more than 2GB VRAM) may result with the game defaulting to low graphics settings. Said issue is fixed with the Unofficial Patch.

== Vampire sects ==
*Camarilla
*Kuei-Jin
*Sabbat

== Vampire clans ==
Playable
* Brujah
* Gangrel
* Malkavian
* Nosferatu
* Toreador
* Tremere
* Ventrue

== Playability ==
The game received two official patch(es). The latest official patch available is [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/560-vampire-the-masquerade-bloodlines-patch-12/ version 1.2]. The Steam and GOG version already have Patch 1.2 preinstalled.
But despite this, the game still remained in a buggy state. No more patches were created because of Troika's bankruptcy; however, community members have fixed many of the lingering bugs along with compatibility issues with modern version of Windows.

Patches:
*'''[https://www.moddb.com/mods/vtmb-unofficial-patch Unofficial Patch by wesp5]''' - Bug fixes, widescreen patch and restoration of cut content. Comes with '''Basic''' (bug fixes only) and '''Plus''' (restores cut content + fan made content) version. Also includes Unofficial SDK and official patch 1.2.
**'''[[VTMB Unofficial Patch Setup|Tutorial on how to install the Unofficial Patch can be found here]]'''.
** This patch (currently version 11.5 as of Jan 24, 2025) was also preinstalled on the {{gog|vampire_the_masquerade_bloodlines|GOG version|icon=hide}} of the game. However, in case a newer version of the Unofficial Patch is available and the GOG versions remains on older version, we recommend you to update it as well.
*[http://www.tessmage.com/tpg/True_Patch_Gold_FINAL_with_Hotfix8.rar True Patch Gold] - Similar to the Basic version of the Unofficial Patch but without adding or changing any aspect of the game itself.
** GOG version of the game needs to be [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/2879-vampire-the-masquarade-bloodlines-unpatch-gog/ unpatched] in order to install True Patch Gold.

== Multiplayer ==
Multiplayer was previously planned but was scrapped:

Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines multiplayer games pit players against each other in the ultimate team-based battle of Kindred versus Kine. Players choose which side to ally themselves with and which powers and weapons to take into battle. You will have various objectives that you need to accomplish while the other team tries to reach their own goals. All while you battle along the streets of L.A. Each multiplayer map blends intense combat action and strategy with maps that are linked together to create an unfolding storyline.

Team Types: Join as one of the seven different Camarilla clans or become a member of The Society of Leopold, the legendary hunters of the undead. As a vampire, you must utilize your innate Abilities and Disciplines to eliminate your foes. If you choose to be a member of The Society of Leopold, you'll be outfitted with an arsenal of deadly weaponry including stake guns, rifles and machine guns to hunt your prey. Along with this arsenal, you will have Numina - unique powers brought on by your faith - to help balance the scales.

Objective Scenarios: With a variety of team-based mission objectives, you will have a unique playing experience every time. As you complete your objectives, you'll gain experience points that can be used to increase your powers and abilities or purchase better weaponry and armor.

== External links ==
* {{w|Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines|VTMB on Wikipedia}}—Wikipedia's article on VTMB.
* [https://www.moddb.com/mods/vtmb-unofficial-patch Link to the Unofficial Patch]
* [https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/pc/914819-vampire-the-masquerade-bloodlines/faqs/54295 Mod Developer Guide by rezzzman on GameFAQs]
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{{SourceBranchCategory|src04}}