“Dracula is King of England” - New immersive sim Vampirium: 1997 announced by Tron: Catalyst and Thomas Was Alone developer Bithell Games

Bithell Games, the developer behind Tron: Catalyst, John Wick Hex, and Thomas Was Alone, has announced Vampirium: 1997, a new immersive sim set in an alternate timeline where Dracula rules as King of England.

In the game, players assume the role of a vampire assassin descended from Dracula’s empire, tasked with eliminating the king’s enemies while securing his vampiric empire. The premise positions players under the direct command of the undead monarch, requiring them to master dark gifts and execute missions according to his demands.

Gameplay is presented from an abstracted, top-down tactical perspective, with players infiltrating locked-down locations and navigating living environments. The design emphasizes player agency and emergent solutions—players adapt their approach by discovering environmental items, choosing stealth to minimize casualties, or forging a direct path through enemies. Each level encourages careful planning and observation, with multiple viable approaches to eliminating targets.

Directed by Mike Bithell, the game is described as an immersive sim “boiled to its essence,” balancing accessibility with the genre’s signature depth. The late-1990s setting provides a distinct aesthetic and historical backdrop, distinct from typical vampire narratives.

The title is launching into Steam Early Access in the near future.

Sources

• “Dracula is King of England” - New immersive sim Vampirium: 1997 announced by Tron: Catalyst and Thomas Was Alone developer Bithell Games
• England Has A New King, And He’s Thirsty For Blood In Vampirium 1997
• Become King Dracula’s personal vamp-assassin in Vampirium: 1997, an immersive sim Bithell Games are launching into Steam early access soon