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Shift Up business and news from across the web.
PlayStation’s Digital-Only Future Makes Sony’s Dynamic Pricing Harder To IgnoreWith Sony ending disc production for PlayStation 5 games in 2028, the company's recent implementation of dynamic pricing on the PlayStation Store becomes more concerning. This model adjusts game prices based on factors like user habits and location, leading to significant price discrepancies for titles like Stellar Blade and Astro Bot. The shift to an all-digital future, coupled with dynamic pricing, raises concerns about potential cost increases and unpredictable pricing for consumers.
GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE’S SUMMER UPDATE ‘WAVE TO YOU’ AVAILABLE NOWLevel Infinite and SHIFT UP have launched the summer update 'Wave To You' for the sci-fi RPG shooter Goddess of Victory: Nikkke. The update is available on PC and mobile devices and introduces new characters, swimsuit costumes, a boss battle, and a mini-game. The game has been downloaded over 45 million times since its launch.
Tencent is reportedly looking to back out of several studio investments like Story of Seasons developer Marvelous, but…Tencent is reportedly looking to divest from several minority investments in video game studios, including a 20% stake in Marvelous, the developer of Story of Seasons. This reassessment of its portfolio may involve selling stakes back to original management, even at a loss. Investments in studios like PlatinumGames and FromSoftware are reportedly unaffected.
Fueled by the sequel, Stellar Blade diehard begins multi-year quest to kill the final boss every day until Blood Rain…One dedicated Stellar Blade player has begun a daily ritual of defeating the final boss, Elder Naytiba, until the release of the anticipated sequel, Stellar Blade: Blood Rain. This player has been documenting their progress on Reddit, currently on day 12, with no confirmed release date for the sequel from developer Shift Up, who states it is still in early development.
Sony pulling back from PC also means it's pulling back from ChinaSony appears to be scaling back its strategy of releasing single-player PlayStation titles on PC, a move that has drawn scrutiny. Analysis suggests this shift may be driven by concerns over Valve's dominance rather than competition from Xbox. Data indicates that China represents a significant market for PlayStation games on Steam, with titles like Death Stranding 2 and Stellar Blade seeing substantial sales from the region, suggesting that PC releases can boost PlayStation sales and overall game visibility.
Stellar Blade dev on bringing the game to Nintendo Switch 2, asked about bringing over Stellar Blade: BloodrainShiftUp has announced that Stellar Blade will be released on the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026, marking a significant step in their self-publishing ambitions. When asked about a potential Nintendo Switch 2 port for the follow-up Stellar Blade: Bloodrain, publishing head Edouard Akopcan humorously questioned if Grand Theft Auto VI could run on the console, indicating non-committal stance for now.- Stellar Blade publisher hints that Blood Rain might be unlikely on Switch 2Shift Up, the publisher of Stellar Blade, has indicated that the upcoming Stellar Blade: Blood Rain expansion may not be released on the Nintendo Switch 2. While the original Stellar Blade is confirmed for the platform, the technical demands of the new content might make a Switch 2 port unlikely.
After saying the first game is better than Nier Automata, Yoko Taro reckons he's gotta buy Stellar Blade: Blood…Following his praise for Stellar Blade, Yoko Taro has expressed his intent to purchase the newly announced sequel, Stellar Blade: Blood Rain. Shift Up director Hyung-Tae Kim acknowledged Taro's enthusiasm, continuing a friendly exchange between the two creators whose games have influenced each other.- Stellar Blade: Blood Rain CEO addresses concerns over Evie’s youthful design, but ends up causing even more of themShift Up CEO Kim Hyung-tae addressed player concerns regarding the youthful design of the character Evie in Stellar Blade. His comments, however, have reportedly amplified existing concerns among the player base.
- Best Summer Game Fest 2026 Games You Might Have MissedThis article highlights several upcoming indie games that may have been overlooked amidst the major announcements from Summer Game Fest and other showcases. It features a diverse range of titles, including action, RPG, horror, and simulation genres, with brief descriptions and personal endorsements from the writers.
- A cultural relic of doomed humanity: Stellar Blade’s soundtrack to be committed to vinylLaced Records is releasing the Stellar Blade soundtrack on vinyl, with pre-orders open for a 44-track 4LP boxset and a 22-track double LP. Exclusive editions feature unique colored discs and sleeve art by SHIFT UP, including liner notes from Sound Director Jooeun Hwang. The soundtrack, which has been remastered for vinyl, features a mix of electronic, K-Pop, rock, metal, jazz, and acoustic styles.
Stellar Blade: BLOOD RAIN dev explains why protagonist looks so youngStellar Blade: BLOOD RAIN introduces a new protagonist, Evie, designed to contrast with the original game's Eve. Director Hyung-tae Kim explains that Evie is younger and smaller but possesses a stronger personality and a brutal close-range fighting style. The game will explore themes of humanity and artificial intelligence within a cyberpunk setting inspired by East Asian cities.
Waifu Wednesday: Evie from Stellar Blade BLOOD RAINThis article discusses Evie, a character from the upcoming Stellar Blade: BLOOD RAIN, the sequel to Stellar Blade. It highlights her tomboyish appearance and spirited personality, contrasting her with the protagonist EVE from the original game. The piece also touches on the social media attention both games have garnered.
'Stellar Blade' Brings Style And Sauciness To Switch 2 "This Year"Shift Up's action-adventure game Stellar Blade is coming to Switch 2 in 2026. Originally released for PlayStation 5 in 2024, the game features intense combat, a sci-fi narrative, and character progression. The Switch 2 version will include support for Joy-Con motion controls.
All The New Switch 2 Ports Confirmed In Nintendo Direct June 2026The June 2026 Nintendo Direct revealed several new ports for the Nintendo Switch 2, including Lies of P: Complete Edition, Devil May Cry 5: Devil Hunter Edition, Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5+2.5 Remix, 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue, and Kingdom Hearts 3 + Re Mind. Previously PlayStation 5 exclusive Stellar Blade and a new version of Minecraft are also coming to the platform. Several other third-party titles will launch day-and-date with other platforms.
Ex-PS5 Exclusive Stellar Blade Will Let You Goon on the Go with Switch 2 PortDeveloper Shift Up has confirmed that Stellar Blade, previously a PlayStation 5 exclusive, will be ported to the Nintendo Switch. This move follows the game's release on PC and reflects the studio's desire to expand the franchise's reach beyond Sony's platforms.
"There is a limit to progress based on price": In today's AI hardware disaster, Stellar Blade Blood Rain devs prioritize "making the game playable" for as many people as possibleShift Up CEO Hyung-Tae Kim emphasized the importance of making games playable on current-generation hardware, citing price limitations for PCs and consoles. The studio is prioritizing optimization for its upcoming action game, Stellar Blade: Blood Rain, rather than relying on future hardware advancements. This approach aims to ensure broader accessibility for players, similar to the successful PC port of the original Stellar Blade.
Stellar Blade boss admits he "struggled" with its boring main character, but going into Blood Rain "realized that players can fully immerse themselves even in a character with a strong, distinct personality"Hyung-Tae Kim, head of Stellar Blade developer Shift Up, admits struggling with the main character Eve's personality in the first game and plans to give the protagonist in the upcoming Stellar Blade: Blood Rain a more defined character. He realized players can immerse themselves in characters with strong personalities, a lesson learned from player reactions to the first game.
Stellar Blade: Blood Rain's Evie is more than just "physical attractiveness," Shift Up insists, but devs are taking notes from infamously horny Goddess of Victory: Nikke regardlessShift Up CEO Hyung-Tae Kim insists that the protagonist Evie in Stellar Blade: Blood Rain is designed to be more than just physically attractive, aiming for genuine player attachment. The studio is drawing lessons from the community engagement with Goddess of Victory: Nikke to enhance character investment in their new title.
Stellar Blade Dev Explains New Hero Design, Praises Sony's Publishing SupportShift Up boss Hyung-Tae Kim discussed the design of Stellar Blade's new heroine, Evie, explaining her shorter and younger appearance was intentional to contrast with her aggressive combat style. Kim also praised Sony's publishing support but noted the benefits of self-publishing for reaching markets like PC, especially after the original Stellar Blade's success in China. The game has been in development for a year, and the team aims to replace generative AI found in launch assets before release.