Fresh off the massive success of their recently released PlayStation 5 exclusive, Stellar Blade, South Korean developer Shift Up is already looking ahead to an ambitious slate of upcoming projects. According to a recent securities filing, the studio has officially announced the development of a new “AAA urban sci-fi action RPG” codenamed Project Witches, slated for cross-platform, next-gen release in 2027.
While details about Project Witches remain scarce, the game’s hiring page suggests a grand scope, mentioning plans for cross-platform and next-gen development. Shift Up’s lofty ambitions extend beyond this new IP, as the company also revealed considerations for expanding the Stellar Blade universe.
Stellar Blade, a critically acclaimed action RPG that garnered widespread praise for its visuals, gameplay, and engaging narrative, has proven to be a chart-topping success for Shift Up. In the filing, the developer acknowledged the game’s impressive Metacritic user score of 9.3 out of 10, higher than esteemed AAA titles like God of War: Ragnarok, Elden Ring, and Ghost of Tsushima during their respective launch windows.
Capitalizing on this momentum, Shift Up expressed intentions to explore a potential sequel to Stellar Blade, as well as the possibility of a PC port, broadening the game’s reach beyond its current PlayStation 5 exclusivity. While neither project has been officially greenlit, the studio’s commitment to nurturing its newfound IP is evident.
In addition to the Stellar Blade expansions, Shift Up aims to bolster its workforce beginning in 2025, scaling up development efforts to accommodate new projects alongside the construction of a new office. The company’s ambitions extend beyond Project Witches, with aspirations to surpass the success of their previous title, Goddess of Victory: Nike, positioning Project Witches as a “next-generation mega subculture IP.”
Shift Up’s bold plans underscore the studio’s determination to build upon the success of Stellar Blade and establish itself as a formidable player in the AAA gaming sphere. With Project Witches already in development and the potential for Stellar Blade to evolve into a multi-platform franchise, the South Korean developer is poised to make waves in the years to come, delivering captivating experiences to a growing global audience.