Vampire Survivors developer Poncle has revealed the considerable challenges in adapting the game into a film, a shift from its initially announced animated series format. The primary hurdle? The game itself lacks a narrative.

In a recent Steam post, Poncle confirmed continued collaboration with Story Kitchen on a live-action film, acknowledging the inherent difficulty of translating the game's simple yet engaging mechanics—defeating hordes of enemies—into a compelling cinematic experience.

Poncle explained their cautious approach, stating, "Rather than rushing into production, we’ve waited to find the right partners. Adapting Vampire Survivors requires unique ideas, creativity, and a deep understanding of the game—a challenging combination to find. The game has no plot—it really doesn't—so anticipating how a film will unfold is part of the excitement, and the difficulty."

The irony of adapting a plotless game wasn't lost on Poncle, who wryly commented at the time of the announcement, "the most important thing in Vampire Survivors is the story." The lack of a pre-existing narrative means the adaptation's direction remains uncertain, resulting in a currently unannounced release date.

Vampire Survivors, a fast-paced gothic horror rogue-lite, gained immense popularity in recent years, evolving from a humble Steam indie title into a massive success. Its core gameplay, characterized by overwhelming enemy encounters and snowballing power progression, has captivated players.

Poncle has significantly expanded the game since its launch, adding 50 playable characters and 80 weapons, alongside two major expansions and the Ode to Castlevania DLC.

IGN's 8/10 review summarized the game as: "Ideal for background play while listening to podcasts, Vampire Survivors' deceptively simple gameplay offers surprising depth, though it can suffer from extended lulls once you've mastered its mechanics."