"On that very evening, I communicated to the publishing company: This marks our debut in the realm of game publishing - an achievement driven by a blend of excitement, playfulness, and intense keyboard action."
Biting into a Fresh Venture
In an exclusive chat with Edge Magazine, Vampire Survivors creator, Luca Galante, reveals his remarkable journey - from almost abandoning game development to spearheading a genre-defining sensation and now venturing into publishing with Berserk or Die.
During the infamous BitSummit indie game festival in Kyoto, 2024, Galante's pursuit of relaxation led him to Nao Shibata's Berserk or Die booth. With no energy left to play, his producer Matteo Sapio coaxed him to give the game a try. One exhilarating mash of keys and the game had him hooked!
Galante shares his enthusiasm,"I'd been considering helping other developers, but didn't have a clear plan. Berserk or Die seemed like an opportunity to give something back to the indie community. Not the next big hit, but just to share a bit of my fortunate luck."
Fast forward to the PC Gaming Show 2025, where Poncle, the team behind Vampire Survivors, officially announced its involvement with Berserk or Die. In a heartfelt conversation, Shibata discussed the game's groundbreaking control system, which turns playing into a frenzied, side-to-side keyboard dance.
The sheer simplicity of Berserk or Die's concept hides its unique selling point. But Galante believes there's much more to the game than its keyboard-smashing gimmick. He's determined to share this hidden gem with all gamers.
Luck surprisingly played a part in their meeting, as Galante initially invited Shibata to talk about graphic design, assuming he was unaware of Vampire Survivors. Little did he know, Shibata would become an avid 400-hour Vampire Survivors player, thrilled to have the backing of the game's creator.
Looking to the future, Shibata is eager to explore new ideas. He sees his collaboration with Poncle as a stepping stone, emboldening him to continue his creative journey. Galante echoes this sentiments, expressing Poncle's desire to publish more games that embody the same passion and creativity seen in Berserk or Die.
Stay tuned for Berserk or Die, available now on Steam. And watch the space for more exciting ventures from the passionate team at Poncle.
Don't miss all the gaming news, reviews, and deals in the PC Gaming Show 2025!
Joe Donnelly
Insights:- Poncle's Foray into Publishing: Poncle's new venture, Berserk or Die, marks its entry into game publishing and a commitment to promoting passionate game developers.- Emphasis on Authentic Game Development: Poncle's interest lies in games that are genuine and made with passion, prioritizing creativity and originality over innovation.- Collaborative Approach: Poncle aims to support developers like Nao Shibata, fostering a community of passionate creators and helping them bring their unique visions to life.
- Luca Galante, the creator of Vampire Survivors, expressed his intention to back other developers not for the sake of creating the next big hit, but to share a bit of his fortunate luck, referring to his alliance with Nao Shibata and Berserk or Die.
- In the heart of the PC Gaming Show 2025, Poncle announced its involvement with Berserk or Die, a game that features a groundbreaking control system, turning playing into a frenzied, side-to-side keyboard dance.
- Poncle's new venture into game publishing with Berserk or Die signifies their commitment to promoting genuine games made with passion, embodying creativity and originality over innovation.
- Nao Shibata, the creator of Berserk or Die, considers his collaboration with Poncle as a stepping stone in his creative journey, and Poncle, in turn, echoes the same sentiments, looking forward to publishing more games that share thesame essence of passion and creativity seen in Berserk or Die.
