Poncle Discusses Film Adaptation Hurdles: 'No Plot in Game'

The developer behind the indie hit Vampire Survivors, Poncle, has shared insights into the challenges of adapting their game into a film. Initially announced as an animated series in 2023, the project has since evolved into a live-action film, a transition that Poncle is navigating with Story Kitchen. The primary hurdle they face is the game's lack of a traditional plot, which complicates the process of creating a coherent narrative for the screen.

In a recent Steam post, Poncle emphasized their commitment to ensuring the adaptation aligns well with the essence of Vampire Survivors. They stated, "As mentioned last year, rather than jumping the gun and make stuff for the sake of making it, we have preferred to wait to find partners that felt right, especially because to make anything that isn't a video game out of Vampire Survivors requires good ideas, creativity, and that quirky knowledge of the game." This reflects their cautious approach to the project, aiming to capture the unique feel of the game.

Poncle humorously acknowledged the irony of adapting a game with "no plot" into a film, noting, "the most important thing in Vampire Survivors is the story," in a sarcastic tone. This highlights the unconventional nature of the project, as even Poncle admits uncertainty about how the film will ultimately take shape. Consequently, no release date has been set for the adaptation.

Vampire Survivors itself is a fast-paced gothic horror game with rogue-lite mechanics, where players can experience rapid progression against waves of enemies. Since its launch on Steam, the game has grown tremendously in popularity, becoming a surprise hit. Poncle has continuously enriched the game with new content, now boasting 50 playable characters and 80 weapons, not including the two major expansions and the Ode to Castlevania DLC.

In their review, IGN awarded Vampire Survivors an 8/10, describing it as "outwardly simple but turns out to be an incredibly deep hole to fall down — though it's not without extended dull periods when you get ahead of its curve." This encapsulates the game's appeal as an engaging, yet sometimes challenging, experience that keeps players hooked.