In 2021, Luca Galante, the creative mind behind \"Vampire Survivors,\" found an unforeseen triumph in his game, a stark contrast to his previous work on mobile gambling applications. This journey led him to a critical understanding of the gaming industry's dynamics, prompting him to vocalize his concerns about certain publishing practices.
Galante openly expressed his dissatisfaction with publishers primarily driven by financial exploitation of platforms. He advocates for a publishing model that values the integrity of game development and ensures products offer substantial value, moving beyond the sole pursuit of monetary gains.
Central to Galante's philosophy is the belief that a publisher's role is to support the creation of genuine and valuable games, acknowledging that not every title will achieve monumental success. He criticizes the trend of releasing unfinished games or abandoning titles that don't immediately become blockbusters, stressing the importance of sustained post-launch support for the audience, regardless of the game's initial performance.
Poncle's publishing strategy naturally leans towards smaller, more intimate projects from independent teams, prioritizing a high \"price-to-gameplay ratio\" rather than hefty price tags. This approach has already led them to partner with games like Doonutsaur's \"Kill the Brickman\" and Nao Games' \"Berserk or Die,\" reflecting their commitment to diverse and engaging experiences.
Galante emphasizes that his responsibility as a publisher is to enrich a developer's original vision, not to steer it towards profit-driven compromises. He recognizes that this perspective might seem aspirational, yet he views Poncle's publishing endeavors as a means to leverage the prosperity of \"Vampire Survivors\" to uplift fellow indie creators.
Reflecting on the immense fortune of \"Vampire Survivors,\" Galante aims to share the insights and lessons accumulated along the way with the broader independent development community. This initiative represents a commitment to reciprocate the goodwill and success they've received, fostering a supportive ecosystem for emerging talent.