Stellar Blade Reaches 1 Million Units Sold on PC Within 3 Days; CEO Anticipates Sequel Release in 2027

Shift Up Celebrates Over 3 Million Units Sold of Stellar Blade

Shift Up, the South Korean game development studio, recently revealed that their latest title, Stellar Blade, has reached a remarkable milestone by selling over 3 million units worldwide across various platforms. Notably, the PC version alone accounted for one million of these sales within just three days of its release. This achievement underscores the game’s popularity, especially considering it has also reached a record for being the Sony-published single-player game with the highest peak concurrent users on Steam. Users have praised the game, leaving approximately 15, 600 reviews with an impressive 94% positive rating.

CEO Hints at Future Developments for Stellar Blade 2

In a recent interview with the Korean publication This Is Game, Shift Up’s CEO, Kim Hyung-tae, shared some enticing insights regarding the anticipated sequel, Stellar Blade 2. He expressed optimism about a potential release year of 2027, though he cautioned that this timeline remains uncertain.

Development Challenges and Focus on Innovation

Kim explained that as development on a downloadable content expansion began, it became apparent that the scope had expanded beyond expectations. Consequently, the team decided to shift their focus to the next installment. Currently, the entire workforce is concentrated on enhancing the PC version, making rapid development of the sequel a complex endeavor. He emphasized the importance of research and development (R&D) in order to effectively realize their vision for the next generation of gaming.

“We have been wholeheartedly dedicated to releasing the PC version following the PlayStation 5 version, ”said Kim.“Now is the time to engage in meaningful R&D, and while we hope for a 2027 release, the timeline is tight, but we are committed to delivering an exceptional product.”This ambitious goal is even more noteworthy considering that the original game launched only recently in April 2024 and given the typical development timeframe for AAA titles, which often exceeds four years.

Improving Narrative Elements for the Sequel

During the interview, Kim also addressed the narrative weaknesses observed in the first Stellar Blade. He recounted how initial plans included in-depth lore, including creative reasons for the protagonist’s wardrobe changes. However, as production progressed, budgetary constraints led to the scaling back of cutscenes that enriched the game’s world and character arcs, ultimately affecting storytelling.

“We recognized that there were indeed shortcomings in our narrative design. Rushing to amend these now may conflict with the established story, so we’re proceeding with caution, ”Kim noted. Nevertheless, he expressed confidence that if granted the opportunity to create a sequel, the team could deliver a compelling narrative experience.

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