Bithell Games, the studio behind Tron: Catalyst and John Wick Hex, enters Steam Early Access with Vampirium: 1997, an immersive sim set in an alternate 1990s where Dracula rules England.
The game positions players as the vampire king's personal assassin, operating within a systemic world where stealth, supernatural abilities, and player agency intersect. Bithell's track record with immersive sims and tactical design suggests a focus on emergent gameplay and multiple solution paths for objectives. The studio proved this approach works with John Wick Hex, which translated the film franchise's action into turn-based strategy and found an audience willing to engage with unconventional mechanics.
Vampirium: 1997 launches into Early Access with an unclear full release date. The studio's pedigree matters here. Bithell Games has built credibility in designing games that respect player intelligence, whether through the real-time tactics of Tron: Catalyst or the methodical planning of John Wick Hex. That DNA suggests Vampirium will lean into systems depth rather than action spectacle.
The 90s British setting with a Dracula twist signals creative ambition beyond a standard assassination game. Period detail combined with supernatural elements could create distinct environmental storytelling and mechanical opportunities unavailable in contemporary-set titles. The immersive sim label—a genre that includes Dishonored and Hitman—indicates the developers prioritize giving players tools and letting them discover solutions organically rather than funneling them through scripted sequences.
Early Access allows Bithell to refine systems based on player feedback before full launch. Given the studio's smaller scale compared to AAA publishers, this approach mitigates risk while building community investment. Immersive sims often benefit from iterative development, as