Bloodhunt Announces Final Shutdown Date: April 2026
The final sunset has been called for Prague's vampiric underground. Developer Sharkmob has officially announced the end date for its supernatural battle royale, Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodhunt. The servers for the free-to-play title will be permanently shut down on April 28, 2026.
This definitive end date marks the final chapter for a game that ceased active development in 2023. While the news is an ending, the nearly two-year window gives the game's dedicated community of Kindred a long period to enjoy the blood-soaked streets of Prague one last time. In a move to support the remaining player base, Sharkmob has also confirmed the immediate closure of the in-game real-money store.
The Long Goodbye: Bloodhunt's Final Chapter
The announcement solidifies the future of Bloodhunt following the studio's decision last year to halt the production of new content. In May 2023, Sharkmob informed its community that while the servers would remain online, the team would no longer be creating new updates, seasons, or battle passes. The primary reason cited at the time was the immense challenge of reaching the "critical mass" of players necessary to sustain a live-service battle royale and justify continued investment in new content.
Now, a definitive timeline has been established. The April 28, 2026, shutdown will bring the game's operations to a complete close. Until that day, the game will remain fully playable for everyone. This extended farewell tour is a gesture to the players who have stalked the rooftops and back alleys of the game's detailed digital recreation of Prague since its launch.
In line with the shutdown announcement, the ability to make real-money purchases has been disabled. This prevents players from spending money on a game with a fixed endpoint and shifts the focus entirely to enjoying the existing experience.
A Look Back at Bloodhunt's Unlife
Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodhunt officially launched in April 2022, following a period in Early Access. It carved a unique niche in the highly competitive battle royale genre by leveraging the rich lore of the World of Darkness tabletop RPG universe.
The game's premise was a thrilling one: a secret war among vampire clans, known as the Sects, erupts on the streets of Prague. Players chose from different clans, each with unique supernatural abilities, to battle for dominance while trying to maintain the Masquerade—the vampiric code of hiding their existence from humanity.
Bloodhunt was praised for several key features that set it apart:
- Incredible Verticality: The Prague map was designed for vertical movement. Players could scale nearly any building, leap across rooftops, and use their powers to gain a tactical high-ground advantage, leading to dynamic and fast-paced firefights.
- Supernatural Powers: Instead of just firearms, players wielded the iconic vampiric Disciplines from the tabletop game. This included everything from vanishing into thin air and unleashing devastating shockwaves to charming mortal NPCs for a quick bite to heal and gain buffs.
- Faithful Lore: The game was a love letter to the World of Darkness. From the different playable clans like the Toreador, Brujah, and Nosferatu to the presence of the Second Inquisition (an anti-vampire organization) as an AI threat, the world felt authentic to the source material.
Despite a strong initial launch and a dedicated core fanbase, the game struggled to maintain the massive, consistent player numbers required by the battle royale format for healthy matchmaking and ongoing profitability. Sharkmob's transparency about these challenges in 2023 was appreciated by its community, and this final announcement continues that open communication.
What's Next for Players and Sharkmob?
For the next year and a half, Bloodhunt will exist as a complete experience for players to enjoy. While no new content will be added, the servers remain stable and active. This period allows veterans and newcomers alike to experience the game's unique blend of gunplay and supernatural powers before it vanishes into the night for good.
Sharkmob, meanwhile, has moved its development focus to other projects. The studio has stated it is working on two new "ambitious, high-quality" titles based on original concepts. While the book is closing on Bloodhunt, the lessons learned from creating and running a complex live-service title will undoubtedly inform the studio's future endeavors. The team has expressed immense gratitude to the Bloodhunt community for their passion, feedback, and support throughout the game's life cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When is Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodhunt shutting down?
The game's servers will be taken offline permanently on April 28, 2026.
Can I still play Bloodhunt until then?
Yes, the game will remain fully playable for its existing community until the shutdown date in 2026.
Are in-game purchases still available?
No. Sharkmob has disabled all real-money transactions within the game. Players can no longer purchase premium currency or other items with real money.
Why did development on Bloodhunt stop?
Active development of new content ceased in May 2023. The developer explained that the game was unable to achieve and sustain the large player base needed to support the costs and resources required for a live-service battle royale game. The 2026 server shutdown is the final step in this process.