Shift Up will self-publish Stellar Blade 2 instead of Sony. The developer announced the change during a Q&A session following its Q1 earnings presentation. The company said development of the next Stellar Blade title is progressing smoothly and on track to meet targeted quality standards.
Shift Up transitions to first-party publishing
Shift Up plans to transition to a first-party service model for the sequel. This approach will let the company lead marketing strategies that reflect the distinctive identity of the Stellar Blade IP. The developer aims to communicate the unique appeal of the game's universe more directly and effectively to players.
Shift Up is formulating a go-to-market strategy designed to maximize sales and reach a broad global audience from day one. The company did not specifically confirm which platforms the game will launch on, but it implied a simultaneous multi-platform release rather than a console exclusive.
The original Stellar Blade was a PS5 exclusive and later received a PC port. Shift Up hinted that the original game may see further platform expansion, stating it is actively exploring that possibility. The company expressed confidence that the sequel will deliver meaningfully improved results compared to its predecessor, citing high-quality self-publishing capabilities, a sales maximization strategy, and a proven IP fanbase.
Shift Up has not confirmed specific platforms for Stellar Blade 2, such as Xbox Series X/S or Switch 2. The company also has not officially announced additional platforms for the original Stellar Blade beyond the existing PS5 and PC versions.
Source: VideoGameChronicles
