Vampire Survivors is releasing a free update sooner than you would think

It’s only been a couple of weeks since poncle teased a new update for their genre-defining smash-hit Vampire Survivors, with a typically humorous trailer that showcased a new map, a new weapon, and even a new playable character. Since then it’s been radio silence, until today, when a release date for the new update, titled Whiteout, was suddenly announced via the official poncle Twitter account. Basically, Vampire Survivors is releasing a substantial free update sooner than you would think. Read on for all the exciting details.

Vampire Survivors’ Whiteout update gets surprise release date announcement

According to the official poncle Twitter account, the free Whiteout update will be released this Thursday, October 19. Given that past updates have tended to have simultaneous releases across PC, Mobile, and Nintendo Switch, you can expect the same to be true of this one, meaning you’ll be able to tuck into the Whiteout’s wintry delights on Thursday regardless of the platform you play on.

This free update is excellent news for both new and invested Vampire Survivors players, bringing with it a generous amount of new content considering its non-existent price tag. A new map, known as Whiteout, is the headline act here, but we’ll also be treated to a new weapon in the Glass Fandango, and a new character called She-Moon as well. Interestingly, this contradicts poncle’s previously-stated philosophy on DLC for the game, in which major mechanical updates would be given out for free while additional maps, weapons, characters etc. would be paid, but we’re certainly not complaining.

Despite the chilly nature of this new update, it comes in the midst of a hot streak for Vampire Survivors. As of last Friday, the game has received over 200,000 positive reviews on Steam, which is an incredible feat for a truly independent game in the current era. And with Vampire Survivors releasing a new update sooner than you would think, that number is only likely to rise higher as more players realize what a bargain the game is.