Vampire Survivors: Ode To Castlevania interview - ‘I put myself before everything’

Poncle's battle-rogulike has become a surprise indie hit in 2022. We chat with founder Luca Galante about the game, the genre, and what's next

If you haven’t heard of Vampire Survivors, you will have done by the end of 2022. This gothic-horror-themed battle-rogulike has become one of the surprise indie hits of the year, selling over 500,000 copies in Early Access on Steam.

Vampire Survivors takes a simple premise – you control a single character against waves of enemies - and adds layers of complexity. As you level up, you gain new weapons and abilities – from garlic cloves to magic wands - which can be combined to create devastating effects. The result is a game that’s easy to pick up but hard to master.

We caught up with Poncle founder Luca Galante to talk about the game, the genre, and what’s next for Vampire Survivors.

How did you come up with the idea for Vampire Survivors?

I've always been a big fan of Castlevania, and I wanted to make a game that was similar in spirit, but with my own unique twist. I also wanted to make a game that was accessible to everyone, regardless of their skill level. Vampire Survivors is the perfect blend of these two goals.

What are some of the challenges you faced during development?

One of the biggest challenges was balancing the game. I wanted to make sure that the game was challenging but not frustrating. I also wanted to make sure that there was a lot of variety in the gameplay, so that players wouldn't get bored.

What are your plans for the future of Vampire Survivors?

I have a lot of plans for the future of Vampire Survivors. I'm working on adding new characters, new weapons, and new levels. I'm also working on a new game mode that will be more challenging than the current one. I'm excited to see what the future holds for Vampire Survivors.

What advice would you give to other indie developers?

My advice to other indie developers is to follow their vision and not be afraid to experiment. Don't be afraid to make mistakes, and don't give up on your dreams. If you have a good idea, and you're willing to work hard, you can achieve anything.