Poncle opens Japan game studio, builds decentralized multi-hub model after Vampire Survivors windfall
Summary
Poncle is establishing a Japan studio led by El Shaddai creator Sawaki Takeyasu, with a second studio planned in Italy
Regional hubs will operate independently, pursuing separate projects with minimal central mandate
Combined with a publishing arm launched in late 2024, Poncle is deploying post-viral capital across three distinct creative channels
"We don't want IP... [we'd] work more as a label or fund to enable people to make their games"
01
Japan studio pairs cultural affinity with autonomous creative mandate
Founder Luca Galante cited "longtime admiration for Japanese games" as the driver for the expansion
Takeyasu led character design on Okami, the game that inspired the name "Poncle" itself
Takeyasu's stated priorities: games the team wants to make, accessibility, and entry points for developers regardless of age or experience
He also aims to raise Vampire Survivors' profile in Japan through smaller-scale experimental productions
02
Decentralized structure avoids the typical post-hit scaling trap
Regional teams will "pursue separate projects" with development "largely handled independently"
A second studio in Italy is also in progress, confirming a deliberate multi-hub architecture
Each hub carries its own creative and operational accountability, avoiding overhead concentration at a single location
This contrasts with the standard post-hit playbook of centralized headcount growth and rising coordination costs
03
Publishing arm completes a three-channel capital deployment model
Poncle launched publishing in late 2024, explicitly rejecting the "traditional publisher" label
Three distinct channels now active: core internal dev, autonomous regional studios, and externally funded creator projects
The unifying principle across all three is creator autonomy, not brand or IP consolidation
Events
Companies
Games
Locations
Japan
COMPILED BY GAMES ATLAS EDITORIAL
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