Vampire Survivors’ Poncle is expanding into Japan
Vampire Survivors developer Poncle is expanding internationally with the establishment of a new studio in Japan. The move represents founder and Vampire Survivors creator Luca Galante’s longtime dream, driven by his deep admiration for Japanese games and positive personal experiences visiting the country.
The new Japanese studio will be led by Sawaki Takeyasu, former CEO of game developer Crim, whose background in the industry makes him an ideal fit for the role. The connection between Galante and Takeyasu runs deep: the studio’s name itself, Poncle, originates from Capcom’s acclaimed action game Okami, on which Takeyasu worked as character designer—a detail that underscores his significant contributions to Japanese game development.
Takeyasu will support the studio as it establishes itself in the Japanese market, with a focus on creative autonomy and maintaining respectful relationships with players. The studio aims to prioritize making games that the team is genuinely passionate about creating.
This expansion marks a significant milestone for Poncle, the independent developer behind the hugely successful roguelike Vampire Survivors, as it diversifies its operations and gains direct access to Japan’s thriving game development ecosystem.