Key Highlights
- Shift Up is focused on optimizing Stellar Blade for the Steam Deck upon its release.
- The game, which previously performed well as a PS5 exclusive, is anticipated to achieve even higher sales figures on PC.
- Further details regarding Project Witches may be unveiled by the company in the first half of 2025.
Stellar Blade has garnered attention recently as developer Shift Up announces plans for its optimization for the Steam Deck, targeting a seamless experience for players who utilize handheld gaming systems. Originally launched in April 2024 as a PlayStation 5 exclusive, this action-adventure title is expected to become available on PC in 2025.
Shift Up, a Korean game studio founded in 2013, made a notable entrance into the console gaming arena with Stellar Blade. Although the game’s lead character faced some scrutiny regarding design choices ahead of release, the title achieved broad acclaim and topped sales charts in the United States. Following months of anticipation, the studio confirmed the transition to PC with an announcement in November 2024. The company’s insights about the in-progress PC adaptation have inspired optimism among Steam Deck enthusiasts.
In a recent financial report Q&A session (via GamingOnLinux), Shift Up emphasized that their optimization efforts are crucial for ensuring Stellar Blade‘s “sustained success in the PC landscape.”They expressed intentions to facilitate “smooth gameplay”across Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC) platforms, including Steam Deck. Furthermore, the developer is committed to enhancing “user convenience, ”introducing additional content, and delivering a “tailored”marketing strategy for the game’s PC debut. Notably, Shift Up anticipates that its PC adaptation will surpass the commercial performance of the console version, attributed to a broader player base on desktop systems. Alongside this, the studio hinted at the potential to share more information about Project Witches, their upcoming title set for release post-2027, during mid-2025.
Optimizing Stellar Blade for Steam Deck
The optimistic statements from Shift Up regarding gameplay optimization are promising news for those invested in handheld gaming, particularly Steam Deck users. If executed successfully, the inclusion of Stellar Blade would significantly enrich the available library for Valve’s device, especially at a time when newer AAA titles are increasingly challenging to operate on its hardware.
While waiting for the arrival of Shift Up’s acclaimed title later this year, Steam Deck owners may want to explore some lighter AAA games recently launched on Steam. Notably, Civilization 7 has joined the ranks as a Steam Deck-verified game since its launch.
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