Bithell Games, the studio behind Thomas Was Alone and Amberspire, has unveiled Vampirium 1997, a non-linear horror immersive sim set in an alternate-history late 90s England where Dracula rules as king. The game tasks players with assassinating enemies at the vampire monarch's command while navigating locked-down locations and discovering their own approaches to completing missions.
Game director Mike Bithell describes the project as an immersive sim distilled to its core mechanics. Players master "dark gifts" to infiltrate environments, adapt to living spaces, and execute targets through methods of their own design. The emphasis on player agency and environmental problem-solving aligns with Bithell Games' track record of inventive indie design.
The alternate 1990s setting provides atmospheric flavor without relying on period-specific music clichés. Dracula's grip on England creates the framework for a vampire-themed assassination campaign, positioning the player as his enforcer working to expand and secure his vampiric empire.
Bithell Games has established credibility with indie audiences through titles like Thomas Was Alone, a minimalist platformer about emotional connection between geometric shapes, and Amberspire, which showcased narrative ambition. Vampirium 1997 represents the studio's expansion into horror territory while maintaining its design philosophy centered on player creativity and systemic gameplay.
The immersive sim genre has experienced renewed interest following successes like Dishonored 2, Prey, and smaller projects like Hitman's stealth-assassination focus. Vampirium 1997 appears positioned to capture players seeking replayable, emergent gameplay where multiple solutions exist for every objective. The vampire protagonist angle differentiates it from typical spy-thriller immersive sims, offering a darker power fantasy where players wield supernatural abilities alongside tactical planning