Shift Up CEO Reveals Stellar Blade Nearly Failed Due to Funding Crisis
Shift Up CEO Hyung-Tae Kim recently discussed the severe financial hardships faced during the development of Stellar Blade. The studio approached multiple investors and major publishers with the project, only to face widespread rejection. Many backers believed the game would not break even and viewed it as a risky venture rather than a valuable asset. Some advisors even suggested abandoning the title in favor of other projects to increase the company's valuation.
At one point, the studio’s funds were so depleted that they could only cover employee salaries for approximately three months. This crisis occurred before the mobile hit Goddess of Victory: NIKKE provided financial stability. Despite these challenges and Kim’s own initial doubts about creating such a title in South Korea, the team persisted. Their efforts eventually impressed Shuhei Yoshida of Sony Interactive Entertainment, leading to a publishing deal. The game is now available on PlayStation 5 and Windows, with a Switch 2 version scheduled for November 5, 2026.
Summary written with AI assistance by the Hentaidude News Desk from the original report by Carlos "Zoto" Zotomayor at AUTOMATON WEST and checked by our automated quality rules. Details may change; see the source for the full story. How we write summaries
Original headline at AUTOMATON WEST: ““We could only pay salaries for about three months.” Shift Up CEO talks about Stellar Blade’s difficult development and facing rejection from investors”
Key facts
- Release date
- November 5, 2026 (Switch 2)
- Platform
- PlayStation 5, Windows, Switch 2
- Developer
- Shift Up
- Publisher
- Sony Interactive Entertainment
Background
Earlier stories from our archive that give context to this one.
Related stories
More games: Related stories
Stellar Blade Bayonetta Crossover Costumes Released Across Platforms
The Stellar Blade Bayonetta crossover costumes are on every platform and there are patch notes for the outfits and other updates.
via Siliconera
Stellar Blade Complete Edition Review: Solid Switch 2 Port
Stellar Blade Complete Edition feels quite at home on the Switch 2 and still can feel like a must-play sort of action game.
via Siliconera
Hideo Kojima Criticizes AI Creation as Lacking Fun
Metal Gear and DEATH STRANDING director Hideo Kojima discusses his outlook on game development amidst rapid advancements in AI technology.
via AUTOMATON WEST
Wo Long 2: Wings of Ember Sets March 2027 Release with Open-Field Design
Interview with Wo Long 2: Wings of Ember producer Masakazu Hirayama and development producer Masaaki Yamagiwa.
via AUTOMATON WEST
Dragon’s Dogma 2 Dark Arisen devs discuss convenience updates and Switch 2 release
Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen devs talk about the importance of "increasing choices" amidst polarized demands from players.
via AUTOMATON WEST
Hideo Kojima Says AI Takes the Fun Out of Creating Games
Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding creator Hideo Kojima has expressed concerns about the increasing use of artificial intelligence in creative industries, arguing that while AI makes development more efficient, it threatens to eliminate the very process that makes creating something enjoyable.
via Sankaku Complex