Poncle, the creative team behind the highly addictive game Vampire Survivors, is making waves by expanding its role in the gaming industry. The company has announced its decision to venture into game publishing, moving beyond its core focus of developing time-consuming and engaging games. This new publishing division aims to support other developers, potentially helping them create games that captivate players in a similarly irresistible fashion.
Poncle shared this announcement at the Game Republic’s Pitching to Investors and Publishers event, held in Liverpool. The team revealed their ambitious plans to finance the dreams of game developers, albeit with a non-traditional approach. Poncle explained that while they will provide financial backing and support, they intend to maintain a distinct, unconventional style. The company is known for its humorous and laid-back tone, exemplified by their quirky patch notes that only contained the phrase “Bug fixes and improvements” in various font sizes. This lightheartedness is expected to extend into their publishing efforts, though with a serious focus on supporting quality game development.
In stepping into publishing, Poncle wants to act as more than just a conventional publisher. They plan to offer various services such as funding, assistance with game platform launches, localization, and quality assurance. Their mission is to help other developers bring their games to life by removing obstacles often encountered during the production process. The team expressed their enthusiasm for signing up a wide range of projects, yet acknowledged the limitations imposed by their relatively small size. Despite their willingness to assist numerous developers, Poncle is selective about the types of games they will support.
One of the key points made by Poncle is that, although they are eager to help many developers, there are certain types of projects they will not support. The company has set clear boundaries on what they consider off-limits. These “insta-nos,” as they called them, include anything related to artificial intelligence (AI) and Web3 technologies, such as cryptocurrencies and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Poncle has joined a growing number of developers and players who are skeptical of these technologies, viewing them as unnecessary intrusions into the world of gaming. They believe these concepts often carry a reputation for being driven by profit rather than passion, and therefore do not align with the company’s values.
Additionally, Poncle has stated they will not endorse free-to-play mobile games. While some of these games have achieved a level of respectability, the majority of the market is saturated with games that prioritize quick profits over player enjoyment. This trend of low-effort, cash-driven mobile titles is something Poncle is eager to distance itself from. The decision to reject free-to-play mobile games reflects the company’s desire to maintain a higher standard for the kinds of projects they wish to support through their publishing division.
Interestingly, Poncle has also put a ban on funding any games that resemble their own creation, Vampire Survivors. This decision might be interpreted as a way to avoid competition within the same genre, as games similar to Vampire Survivors have evolved into their own subgenre. Though many of these games are highly regarded, Poncle’s stance indicates they may wish to avoid backing games that could compete with their flagship title. How strictly they will enforce this policy remains unclear, but it demonstrates their intent to protect their brand and keep a healthy distance from potential rivals.
Despite these restrictions, Poncle’s move into publishing could mark a significant shift in how indie developers approach game creation. By offering financial support and resources without demanding full creative control, Poncle seems to be positioning itself as a champion of independent game development. This initiative may help foster new talent and innovative ideas, allowing smaller studios to break into the market with fewer financial and logistical obstacles.
In summary, Poncle’s new publishing arm represents a blend of innovation and selective discretion. By offering key resources and guidance to game developers, Poncle is branching out from being just a game developer to becoming a vital player in the publishing world. However, the company remains committed to its principles, avoiding controversial trends such as AI, Web3, and low-effort mobile games. As this new division takes shape, the gaming community will likely be watching to see which projects Poncle will bring to life, and how this move will impact the gaming landscape.