Luca Galante, the creator behind the acclaimed game Vampire Survivors, released this title in 2021 as an escape from his work in the mobile gambling game industry. The unexpected popularity of Vampire Survivors not only generated a new genre but also led Galante to a critical analysis of the current state of the video game industry. In a recent interview with GamesRadar, Galante expressed his frustration with many publishers who tend to exploit platforms in search of quick profits, highlighting the trend of releasing incomplete games that are often abandoned after failing to achieve imminent success.
Create a publishing division for the benefit of developers and the public
With the success of Vampire Survivors, the studio Poncle, which now has more than 25 employees, has established its own publishing division, Poncle Presents, with the aim of offering alternatives to the practices of many publishers that prioritize money over product integrity. “For me, it is very important to support games after their release,” said Galante. “Once you put the game out there, you have an audience, and that audience deserves to be treated fairly.”
Galante is enthusiastic about collaborating with independent developers, seeking to rescue the creative essence of games instead of forcing creators to modify their vision to maximize profits. “We are fortunate that Vampire Survivors has been a success. Although we made some mistakes when launching the game, we learned a lot and want to share that knowledge with other indie developers,” he stated.
Poncle has begun to support small teams and games with affordable prices, such as Kill the Brickman and Berserk or Die, thus reaffirming Galante’s commitment to enriching the independent community. Although his approach may be considered idealistic, Galante continues to pursue a space where creativity and genuine value are prioritized in video game publishing.