Vampire LitRPG

Vampire LitRPG stories are drawn from centuries-old vampire myths, but given a twist so that game strategies are central to the book. The modern vampire that we are familiar with comes from the Romantic period in writing and can be attributed to John Polidori’s 1819 short story The Vampyre. An Irishman named Bram Stoker took the archetype into mainstream literary success with a little novel called Dracula in 1897. Despite earlier vampires being poor and destitute, our modern vampire appears as a charming and elegant person of good stock: one who lives in the refined culture of high society while stalking in the shadows.

Why read vampire LitRPG books?

Despite the many vampire stories written since Dracula, the genre remains a rich source for story ideas. The dangerous predator with more-than-human powers, yet fatal weaknesses allows for a wide variety of plots and characters. The LitRPG genre offers new possibilities for the vampire. Our fascination with vampiric powers can now be integrated into a purposeful LitRPG game system. By introducing vampires, authors get to diversify the choices of their protagonist and explore what truly makes us human—as any great vampire novel would. In my research into vampire LitRPG I saw a wonderful theme of cultivation or system in almost every book that I read. We can’t forget that our minds are enamored when reading the Romantic archetype of a vampire: adding cool LitRPG game systems as an integral plot device, is just the icing on the blood-soaked cake of a well told story.

Good Vampire LitRPG books

While I started looking for vampire LitRPGs with vampire protagonists, I found that to not be a deciding factor for my list of favourites. All the following stories, however, have the thematic elements of a vampire story and similar vampiric powers intertwined into the game system. Consequently, not all protagonists are in fact vampires. I found that the thematic elements and powers to be more important. So here’s my list of the top vampire LitRPG stories. As Dracula said, “Then, I give you life eternal. Everlasting love. The power of the storm.”

Death Loot & Vampires

Benjamin Kerei

The story revolves around protagonist Vincent picking up the tattered pieces of his humanity. He is isekaied into another world by a cult of vampires and finds that his family is there as well. The power curve within the book is quicker than most of the other books here. However, it makes for a fun and engaging read. It is also my favorite book on this list due to how Benjamin tackles the Romantic/Byronic archetype in a satirical way. For me, a saw deeper themes and a good twist in this wonderful vampire LitRPG story. Vampire Lords can have families too!

First Steps into The Night

Tao Wong

It is no secret that I believe Tao Wong to be an important voice in the LitRPG genre. In fact, I would go as far to say that he is one of the most consistent authors, and this Vampire LitRPG is no exception. Kylie, a journalist needs to cover a story for Eternal Night, a VR vampire game that her editor wants her to write. However, she is not a gamer and enlists the help of Johnathan, an old friend doing her a favor. While this is only a short story at around 10K words, it is the only vampire LitRPG book that you can buy directly from Barnes and Noble.

Underworld: Vampire Gate

Apollos Thorne

While Vampire Gate is the fifth book in the Underworld series, I found Vampire Gate to be the strongest book in the series next to Scorching Sun. The saga follows Elorion in his quest to survive and level up. Vampire Gate holds all the thematic elements you want in a good vampire LitRPG story. Honestly, you could probably get through the whole series in under a weekend.    

Awakened

KoolCats

Chronicling the adventures of Kade, a protagonist driven by curiosity, this epic tale starts off slow like many other vampire LitRPG stories. However, the visual system is interesting and the “what is your meaning?” theme is woven throughout the story in a purposeful way. The biggest takeaway is the world building. We get vampires, werewolves, demons, and undead pirates; what more could one want?

Arise: Alpha

Jez Cajiao

Presumably the most controversial book on my list and not because it’s a book by Jez, but in view of the fact that I may be stretching it a bit to say Arise is a vampire LitRPG book. However, you made it this far, thus you’ll hear me out. Steve is an ex-military protagonist, in fact, he’s a very bad man with horrifying abilities (sound familiar?) The vampiric themes are evident, and the protagonist not only has vampire-like abilities integrated into the game system, but he is fighting freaking werewolves! Arise has the best game system out of the rest of the books here with some cool abilities. Thus, the book makes my list, and I rest my case.

Blood and Qi (interview with a vampire LitRPG author)   

Anthony Alves

While I love my job as an editor, getting to know the authors that I work with is a very cool part of the gig. While I do love using my journalist background to write these essays, nothing beats talking about the craft of writing with fellow authors. So, without further udo, here is an interview with Anthony, the author of Blood and Qi.

What was the most difficult part about writing a vampire protagonist?

Anthony: “I didn’t go the generic Dracula route, so I knew there’d be some disappointment due to that.  Making a character that’s nearly six thousand years old with coherent and consistent principles and beliefs that made sense historically wasn’t easy. Since the MC started overpowered, I wanted an alternative path of advancement with his mind improving as well as his beliefs and thinking becoming more modernized as he adapts to the time along with the cultivation system.”

How fun was building a LitRPG system around John, your vampire protagonist?

Anthony: “I built the RPG and cultivation system first and then John after, forcing his vampiric abilities into the cultivation system.  I’ve always loved RPG systems.  I’ve been collecting TTRP systems just to check out since I was a kid.  Also, video games.  From the old SSI Gold box series, The Dark Eye system in the Realms of Arkania trilogy, to the recently released WH40k: Rogue Trader from Owlcat, I’ve always been drawn to the crunchier systems.  So, coming up with a system is the most fun part of the process for me.”

We have a lot of historical elements in the book, how much research went into Blood and Qi?

Anthony: “A good amount of research covering a broad range of topics.  I originally tried for a skill system encompassing how technology has changed what’s known prehistorically.  I gave up after agriculture and knapping.  Too much changed from time to time and region to region.  Most sources weren’t helpful for the necessary nitty-gritty, and most detailed info linked to a non-searchable scanned published paper. For other aspects, I went pretty deep.  I’m most proud of the alternate pre-recorded Jewish history I came up with to flesh out the Lilith character and her and the MC’s history.” 

Did any books serve as your inspiration when writing Blood and Qi?

Anthony: “Too many to count.  During the covid lockdown I read my first cultivation novel, the first book of the Cradle series by the fantastic Will Wight.  A LitRPG called Reborn: Apocalypse by L. M. Kerr was recommended to me right after that.  Since, I’ve been hooked on both genres. A lot of historical fiction also influenced it, as well as a love and interest of ancient history.”

What is your writing process?

Anothny: “I’m still working on refining this.  It mostly consists of after work, getting to work writing or editing or coming up with systems.”

Who is your favorite author?

Anthony: “I have so many it’s hard only giving one.  For prose, it’s definitely Gene Wolfe.  Shogun is probably my favorite book, so Clavell is up there.  Then there are authors when I see a new release, I drop everything to read it, such as the late Dave Duncan or Will Wight.  I like the strange way Glen Cook’s mind works.  I could go on and on, so I’ll stop there.”

What do you think makes a LitRPG story great?

Anthony: “This is a tough one.  I read a lot of LitRPGs and why I think Defiance of the Fall is great is not the same reason I think Street Cultivator or The Land of the Undying Lord are great. For me, regardless of genre or subgenre, I’m looking for a story I can lose myself in. It could be the characters, or setting, or system, or situation, or advancement aspects.”   

Vampire LitRPG FAQ

What drives a good Vampire LitRPG story?

At a deep level, all good vampire LitRPG stories explore what it is to be human. Typically, the story involves a character who has become a vampire grappling with their humanity in the context of navigating a LitRPG game system. Vampire LitRPG can also be a good read with a setup that involves humans cultivating their own game-powers to match those of a vampire.

What sub-genre of LitRPG works well with vampire LitRPGs?

Cultivation LitRPG stories lend themselves well to a vampire LitRPG book due to the vast nature of storytelling that can be explored. For the most part these systems tend to be detailed and crunchy.  

Does there have to be a specific type of vampire in a vampire LitRPG story?

While the default vampire LitRPG story is firmly situated in the Romantic tradition of the story of the lone vampire, there is no one “correct” type of vampire. In the past one hundred years authors have explored a huge range of other possibilities, most of which lend themselves to being adapted to a game system characteristic of LitRPG; Blood and Qi is a good example of just that.

Is there a Vampire LitRPG Community?

Want to talk about Vampire LitRPG novels? The LitRPG Forum | Facebook is a good place to talk about vampire LitRPG stories. Level Up also have a WhatsApp group to recommend books to each other and chat about all kinds of LitRPG, just request a link via the form on this page.

Trevor Wells is a writer and Assistant Editor at Level Up.