Stellar Blade surpasses 3 million copies sold, PC boosts total

Stellar Blade, developed by Shift Up, has surpassed the mark of 3 million units sold globally. This achievement was driven by the recent release of the PC version, which sold over 1 million copies in just 3 days. The title, which initially debuted on the PlayStation 5, demonstrates strong sales performance, solidifying its position in the market.

Despite the commercial success, Shift Up has a challenging road ahead. Kim Hyung-tae, director of Stellar Blade, revealed in an interview with the South Korean portal This is Game that the sequel, Stellar Blade 2, originally planned as a DLC, has expanded in scope and is now in the research and development phase. The expectation is for the game to be released in 2027, but the main team at Shift Up is still focused on optimizing and supporting the PC version of the original game. This raises questions about resource allocation and the timeline for such an ambitious release in just three years.

"Currently, all of our staff are focused on the PC version, so it's hard to say that the sequel is very developed. We can say that this is a period where we are carrying out R&D (Research and Development), thinking a lot about 'how can we show the vision of the next generation,'" said Kim Hyung-tae.

Development Challenges and the Future of the Franchise

The quick conversion of a DLC into a full sequel, although a sign of ambition, can also indicate challenges in project management. Director Kim admitted the difficulty in ensuring the release of Stellar Blade 2 in 2027: "It would be great if it came out in 2027, but there are only three years left, so all I can say is that we will do our best. I can guarantee, however, that we will present a wonderful work."

The superior performance of the PC version of Stellar Blade compared to the PlayStation 5 Pro (PS5 Pro) — information previously disclosed — demonstrates Shift Up's technical ability to optimize its games. However, the ongoing focus on the PC version of the first game is crucial to maintaining sales momentum and player satisfaction on this platform. For the future, Shift Up needs to balance the continuous optimization of its current title with the development of a sequel that meets the growing expectations of players, especially considering that exclusivity for PlayStation has not yet been confirmed for Stellar Blade 2, suggesting a possible multiplatform strategy from launch.

Achieving 3 million units sold is a significant milestone for a new IP (Intellectual Property), especially coming from a Korean studio. This commercial success positions Stellar Blade as one of Sony's standout new franchises in 2024. Shift Up's ability to capitalize on this success with a high-quality sequel and a realistic development plan will be crucial in solidifying the franchise's name in the gaming industry. The market will closely monitor how Shift Up manages these multiple challenges in the coming years.