In an era where the games industry is increasingly focused on live-service experiences and maximizing profits, Stellar Blade director Hyung-Tae Kim is taking a bold stand. The Shift Up studio CEO has vowed to continue developing single-player console games that offer players a complete, definitive experience – a move that directly challenges the industry’s prevailing wisdom.
In a recent interview with Ruliweb, Kim spoke candidly about the pressures facing game developers to chase higher profit margins. “I often hear advice from people around me that it would be better to make games that have higher profit margins,” he admitted. However, Kim firmly believes that what the industry needs “more than anything is variety.”
The director’s unwavering commitment to single-player console titles, particularly those with clear beginnings and endings, stems from his conviction that these experiences hold immense value. “Console titles, that is single-player games with an ending, have a very important value in themselves,” Kim stated. “A market where such games continue to be made and coexist with other genres and platforms is healthier.”
This stance is a refreshing contrast to the industry’s increasing focus on live-service models and endless content updates. Kim acknowledges the challenges posed by rising development costs, but he remains resolute in his belief that players crave the satisfaction of completing a game’s narrative and returning to reality with a sense of fulfillment.
Stellar Blade, Shift Up’s upcoming PS5 exclusive, exemplifies this design philosophy. The game will feature a definitive ending, and the studio has even committed to providing free post-launch updates, such as additional costumes and a New Game Plus mode, rather than monetizing them.
Furthermore, Kim has revealed that Shift Up’s next project will be a “cross-platform next-gen” title, hinting at the studio’s intention to broaden its reach beyond the PlayStation ecosystem. This move suggests that the director’s commitment to diverse, single-player experiences extends beyond Stellar Blade, potentially paving the way for a future where players can enjoy a wider variety of narrative-driven, console-focused games.
As the industry continues to grapple with the demands of profitability, Hyung-Tae Kim’s stance serves as a powerful reminder that there is still a strong desire among players for the type of immersive, single-player experiences that have long been the hallmark of the gaming medium. By championing this approach, Shift Up and Stellar Blade may inspire others to follow suit, ultimately leading to a more diverse and vibrant gaming landscape.