Bithell Games, known for titles like Tron: Catalyst and Thomas Was Alone, has unveiled Vampirium: 1997, a new immersive vampire simulation game. In the game, players assume the role of an assassin operating under the command of King Dracula of England. The objective is to "master your dark gifts to assassinate his enemies and secure his vampiric empire," according to the game's description. Players will infiltrate secured locations, adapt to dynamic environments, and discover unique approaches to completing missions.
Vampirium: 1997 features an abstracted, top-down tactical perspective where players view building layouts and the positions of other characters. Interacting with elements in the environment, such as a room, brings up an interaction window with various choices, like disabling lights or attempting to neutralize a guard. A central gameplay mechanic involves careful management of time, with players able to advance it fractionally to perform actions. This time progression is visually represented by a clock on the screen, and certain actions come with an associated time cost that players must weigh against potential risks.
An eight-minute gameplay walkthrough narrated by Bithell Games founder Mike Bithell showcases these mechanics. The footage suggests a complex sandbox environment offering multiple solutions to in-game challenges. While the game does not feature extensive graphical effects, it includes dialogue interactions accompanied by character art.
The announcement follows a challenging period for Bithell Games, which laid off a significant portion of its staff nearly a year ago after failing to secure a larger project following the release of Tron: Catalyst in June 2025. It remains unclear how many individuals are currently developing Vampirium: 1997, with Mike Bithell noting on Bluesky that the game was "Developed on my Mac, and Steam Deck compatible already with hardware specific settings /controls (60fps, natch)."