Can Alucard be in Bloodstained as a public domain character?

Both Dracula and Alucard could be in Bloodstained - they are both public domain and there are a lot of Alucards in modern fiction. However, any Alucard in Bloodstained couldn't act or look anything like the Alucard from the Castlevania series because at that point Konami would have a legal argument. At that point, what would be the point of using an Alucard? Are you so attached to merely the name or the concept of "Son of Dracula" that you need to see it in Bloodstained? The series is trying to establish itself. Let it start and stand on its own merits rather than crib characters or character concepts from Castlevania. Save that for sequels if you have to do that. Sure, there is no doubt this game will take and pay homage to Castlevania but there is no need to be so direct or blatant.

EDIT: Somehow I missed the Kale 's post. We basically agree <3

Yes, IGA can make a vampire and name him Alucard with a different design and personality.

but the real question is, do we really need Alucard or Dracula ?

I'm one of the few who thinks there will be an entirely new character, an NPC, that will be very Alucard-like. I would like to think they would throw the ball back to Double Fine and make a reference to their "Organist" character from the Brutal Legend series...but that's just a hope of mine. Wouldn't be too bad if any NPC resembled him. I mean, the Bloodstained characters already have vibes of past Castlevania characters. Also, Alucard is an Expy of several other characters from other series in a lot of ways, so the concept of the "half-vampire, hunter of the night, son of Dracula" is totally public domain.

I've said this before on other forums and media. But screw it same thing here. Here's the way I see this idea. It is a good gesture on behalf of the OP but in the end it would do nothing for your feelings. It would eventually be, at least for some, an insult to their memories.

While yes it could technically be a name used. It is in no way the one we would be familiar with. I could understand that... but I just don't feel like it would fit. I mean Alucard from Hellsing wouldn't even fit in. The name carrieswith it a certain expectation and I'd like for bloodstained to avoid that.

I agree with this. Alucard is a great character, but now is the time for Miriam, Gebel and co. to shine and forge their own history.

well it doesnt have to be alucard nor dracula. it could be a different anagram word play that relates to dracula like "Crud Ala or Lua Darc" for some example. that way Iga can get away with anything just by making it very UNIQUE name of his own. if he wants it in the sequel of bloodstained, it might be very interesting stuff.

As much as I would love another Castlevania game featuring Drac and Alucard back in the fray, I would rather them NOT be in Bloodstained at all. This game, while Igavania at it's core, is not supposed to be 'Castlevania'. It's going to be it's own entity, with it's own story and dynamic characters and villains, and we should embrace them as being familiar, but new and welcome additions to modern, but classically-inspired gaming. Including Drac and Adrian I feel would make Bloodstained fall short of that point completely.

If by some miracle Konami agrees to or offers to hand over the entire Castlevania IP to Iga, then I would be so happy to see Miriam (Belmont) in action, traversing Dracula's castle towards the end goal of defeating Dracula.
By how things are now, like what Sunraiser mentions, I'd strongly prefer Bloodstained be as less Castlevania-esque as possible for Bloodstained's own good.

My perspective is that there's a very thin line between making a Castlevania and making a Bloodstained, meaning that there are practically no gray areas to fudge around on and work with in order to obtain a high level of quality when it comes to an Iga-crafted game. Iga is going to play it straight, I can sense.

Agree. Bloodstained is a brand new IP. It bases itself on Castlevania but it shouldn't attempt to be exactly Castlevania. Little small details thourghtout the castle for the devoted fans are the the way to go.