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Following Stellar Blade: Blood Rain AI controversy, Shift Up lead says they're taking concerns "seriously" but the tech still has "a lot of influence and impact on game development"
Shift Up's CTO DongKi Lee addressed the controversy surrounding the AI-generated music video for Stellar Blade: Blood Rain, stating the studio takes concerns seriously and will separate experimental content from game-related content. While acknowledging the backlash, Lee emphasized AI's potential as a tool to support developers' creativity and create high-quality games, a sentiment echoed by CEO Kim Hyung Tae.
Stellar Blade interview: dev on bringing the game to Nintendo Switch 2, adoration for Zelda: Breath of the Wild, more
Shift Up's DongKi Lee discusses the upcoming Stellar Blade: Complete Edition for the Nintendo Switch 2, detailing technical optimizations and the use of DLSS and FSR 3.1 for a target of 60 frames per second. Lee also expresses admiration for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which inspired him to work on console games.
Stellar Blade on Switch 2 is a notionally impressive technical feat, but it comes with a big cost
This analysis examines the technical feasibility and compromises involved in porting Stellar Blade to the Nintendo Switch 2. While ShiftUp utilized DLSS and AMD's FSR 3.1 for upscaling and frame interpolation, the resulting visual degradation, particularly in handheld mode, makes the port a compromised experience, akin to the PS Vita version of Mortal Kombat.
Stellar Blade uses Nvidia's DLSS alongside "frame interpolation" to hit 60fps on Switch 2
Shift Up has detailed the technical approach for Stellar Blade's Nintendo Switch port, aiming for 60fps using Nvidia's DLSS for upscaling and AMD's FSR 3.1 for frame interpolation. The article notes the game will not use DLSS 5's AI filters, and touches on the studio's broader AI-positive stance.
Stellar Blade dev confirms Nintendo Switch 2 frame rate and resolution, explains how DLSS is being used
Shift Up has detailed the performance targets for Stellar Blade on the Nintendo Switch 2, aiming for 60 FPS in both docked and handheld modes. The game will feature an upscaled 1080p resolution when docked and an unscaled 720p in handheld. The studio is utilizing Nvidia's DLSS for upscaling in conjunction with AMD's FSR 3.1 for frame interpolation.
Stellar Blade on Switch 2 targeting 60ps upscaled 720p in handheld and upscaled 1080p docked
Developer ShiftUp has confirmed that the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 port of Stellar Blade is targeting 60fps in both handheld and docked modes. The game aims for upscaled 720p resolution in handheld and upscaled 1080p when docked.
Stellar Blade gets first Nintendo Switch 2 gameplay
First gameplay footage of Stellar Blade running on the Nintendo Switch 2 has been released by developer Shift Up. The footage showcases combat and the game's world, highlighting its visual fidelity and post-apocalyptic setting. Stellar Blade is slated for a 2026 release on the platform.
We got a first look at Stellar Blade on Nintendo Switch 2, here are our thoughts
A preview of Stellar Blade on the Nintendo Switch 2 reveals a competent and graphically impressive port that maintains a locked frame rate. Developer ShiftUp focused on seamless docked and undocked play, with unique touchscreen features for puzzles. The game's combat and atmosphere are compared favorably to NieR: Automata, making it an appealing option for those who missed the original release.
Stellar Blade and Lies of P "really made developers in Korea take up the challenge for console games," says…
Shift Up technical director Dong-ki Lee believes games like Stellar Blade and Lies of P have inspired Korean developers to pursue more console game projects. He highlights the growing influence of titles like Crimson Desert and the upcoming Black Myth: Zhong Kui, noting that Stellar Blade's success has encouraged Shift Up to take on more ambitious projects. Lee also expressed enthusiasm for bringing Stellar Blade to the Nintendo Switch 2, leveraging skills gained from developing for PlayStation 5 and PC.
What It Took to Bring Stellar Blade: Complete Edition to Nintendo Switch 2 + Over Five Minutes of Gameplay | gamescom 2026
Stellar Blade: Complete Edition is confirmed for a 2026 release on the Nintendo Switch 2. The article features over five minutes of gameplay footage and an interview with Shift Up CTO DongKi Lee, discussing the development process for bringing the action-adventure title to Nintendo fans.
Stellar Blade Complete Edition Nintendo Switch 2 trailer
South Korean studio Shift Up has released a new trailer for the Nintendo Switch version of their action game, Stellar Blade Complete Edition. The trailer highlights various outfits for the main character, Eve, and showcases the game's fast-paced combat.
Stellar Blade: Complete Edition reveals new Nintendo Switch 2 trailer
Shift Up has released a new trailer for Stellar Blade: Complete Edition on the Nintendo Switch 2, showcasing the port's progress. This post-apocalyptic action-adventure game will feature Joy-Con 2 motion controls and is slated for release in 2026. The trailer offers a glimpse into the game's combat, narrative, and detailed world.
Echoing Palworld dev, video game lawyer says all her clients have anti-AI contracts because gamers hate it and it's a copyright landmine: "I think we're going to see lawsuits"
Video game lawyer Haley MacLean reports that nearly all her clients now include anti-generative AI clauses in their contracts due to widespread gamer disapproval and significant copyright concerns. She highlights the legal risks, including potential lawsuits over ownership and infringement, advising studios to avoid the technology altogether. The trend reflects a growing industry-wide caution regarding AI's use in game development and asset creation.
After Stellar Blade: Blood Rain reveal, Shift Up says its other "AAA-class" game will be revealed this year, and as a "live-service experience" it's closer to its first RPG
Shift Up plans to officially unveil its AAA-class game, codenamed Project Spirits, in the second half of this year. This cross-platform live-service title is described as an 'Eastern fantasy' experience, building on the developer's accumulated live-service expertise from games like Goddess of Victory: Nikke.
Stellar Blade: Blood Rain – Release Date, Gameplay, And Everything We Know
Shift Up is developing Stellar Blade: Blood Rain, the sequel to their 2024 hit Stellar Blade. While a release date is not yet announced, the game is in early development and will feature a new protagonist, Evie, with a different combat style. The sequel is expected to explore new story elements and potentially launch on PC and PlayStation 5, with Shift Up self-publishing.
Stellar Blade boss completely misses the point of why people are upset with Blood Rain's AI slop video: 'The…
ShiftUp CEO Hyung Tae Kim addressed backlash over the AI-generated marketing video for Stellar Blade: Blood Rain, stating that the character Evie was created by artists and AI only rendered her. The article argues that the extensive use of AI in other aspects of the video, including the song, undermines the game's image and cheapens the overall presentation, despite the company's talented composers and artists.
Stellar Blade: Blood Rain studio CEO defends AI music video because Evie was originally "created from head to toe" by the devs, but fans say that's not the point
Shift Up CEO Kim Hyung Tae defended the studio's use of AI in a music video for Stellar Blade: Blood Rain, stating the character Evie was created by human artists. He clarified that AI was used for rendering based on existing data, not for generating the character from scratch. Despite his explanation, fans remain critical, citing ethical concerns regarding labor and the perceived shortcut of using AI.
Stellar Blade: Blood Rain's AI music video should be viewed with "understanding in mind", says studio boss
Shift Up CEO Kim Hyung Tae addressed player criticism regarding an AI-generated music video for Blood Rain, clarifying that the AI renders existing assets created by their artists. He emphasized the necessity of AI in game development to compete with the scale of Chinese studios, noting that 80% of Shift Up's revenue comes from overseas markets.
Shift Up CEO Defends Stellar Blade: Blood Rain AI Music Video Against Player Backlash
The CEO of Shift Up has addressed player backlash regarding an AI-generated music video for Blood Rain, a sequel to Stellar Blade. The video's use of AI has drawn criticism from the game's community.
Stellar Blade: Blood Rain's AI slop music video is terrible for us all
The article criticizes ShiftUp's use of AI-generated music and video for Stellar Blade: Blood Rain, calling it detrimental to the game's artistic integrity and the broader gaming industry. CEO Kim Hyung Tae's pro-AI stance is highlighted, contrasting with the company's previous success with human-created music in Nikke: Goddess of Victory. The author expresses concern that normalizing such practices could lead to a future of soulless, mass-produced games.
