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

Vampire Survivors developer Poncle has shared insights into the challenges of adapting their hit game into a film, a project initially announced as an animated series. In a recent Steam post, Poncle confirmed that they are "still working with Story Kitchen on a live action film," despite the initial announcement in 2023. The primary hurdle they face is the game's lack of a traditional plot, which Poncle humorously acknowledged by stating, "the most important thing in Vampire Survivors is the story," highlighting the irony and complexity of the adaptation process.

Poncle emphasized the importance of taking time to find the right partners who can bring creativity and a deep understanding of the game to the project. They noted, "to make anything that isn't a video game out of Vampire Survivors requires good ideas, creativity, and that quirky knowledge of the game. That is a very difficult triplet to get 100% right." The developer remains excited about the uncertainty of how a film without a clear narrative will turn out, suggesting that this unpredictability is part of the project's appeal.

Vampire Survivors itself is a fast-paced, gothic horror rogue-lite game where players can quickly gain power and mow down hordes of enemies. Initially launched as a modest indie title on Steam, it unexpectedly surged in popularity, becoming one of the most surprising hits in recent years. Poncle has since enriched the game with numerous updates, now featuring 50 playable characters and 80 weapons, along with two major expansions and the Ode to Castlevania DLC.

In our 8/10 review, IGN praised Vampire Survivors as an ideal game to play while multitasking, such as listening to podcasts. They described 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 reflects the game's deceptive depth beneath its straightforward mechanics, a characteristic that Poncle must navigate carefully in their film adaptation efforts.