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

Vampire Survivors, the wildly popular indie action game developed by Poncle, is taking a surprising leap from the digital realm into film. Originally announced in 2023 as an animated series, the adaptation has since shifted focus and is now being developed as a live-action movie. This unexpected pivot comes with its own set of creative challenges—especially considering the game's distinct lack of narrative.

In a recent Steam update, Poncle confirmed that it is still collaborating with Story Kitchen on the live-action film. However, the developer openly acknowledged the complexity of translating Vampire Survivors to screen. As Poncle explained, “the game has no plot — it doesn't?” This absence of a traditional storyline poses a unique hurdle for any cinematic adaptation, making the project both unconventional and intriguing.

Rather than rushing the process or producing content just for the sake of it, Poncle emphasized the importance of finding the right creative partners. “We have preferred to wait to find partners that felt right,” the team stated, noting that bringing Vampire Survivors beyond gaming requires more than just enthusiasm—it demands original ideas, artistic vision, and a deep understanding of what makes the game special.

The developer also leaned into the irony of adapting a game where gameplay far outweighs storytelling. With a touch of humor, Poncle remarked sarcastically, “the most important thing in Vampire Survivors is the story.” Indeed, the core appeal of the game lies not in narrative depth but in its fast-paced, chaotic combat and rogue-lite progression system that keeps players hooked.

Since its humble beginnings as an indie release on Steam, Vampire Survivors has become a global phenomenon. Its addictive loop of survival, power-ups, and endless waves of enemies quickly captured the attention of gamers worldwide. Over time, Poncle expanded the experience significantly, adding new characters, weapons, and major DLCs such as Ode to Castlevania. Today, the game features over 50 playable characters and 80 devastatingly fun weapons, cementing its place as one of the standout indie successes of recent years.

As for the film? Details remain scarce, and no official release date has been set. But one thing is clear: transforming a game without a plot into a compelling cinematic experience will be no small feat—and perhaps exactly the kind of challenge worth telling a story about.

In its 8/10 review, IGN praised the game’s accessibility and hidden depth, writing: "Need a game to play while listening to podcasts? This is it. Vampire Survivors is 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."