SHIFT UP is actively promoting Stellar Blade ahead of its Switch 2 release, with the sequel Stellar Blade: BLOOD RAIN in development and facing community criticism over AI-assisted promotional content.
SHIFT UP's recent activity centers on the Stellar Blade franchise. The studio announced the sequel Stellar Blade: BLOOD RAIN at Summer Game Fest 2026, with a trailer showing stylish action scenes and a new protagonist, Evie, though some sources suggest the character may be Lily. Release platforms and timing remain unannounced.
In August, SHIFT UP released a music video for the sequel, featuring Evie. The video was created using game resources and regenerated with AI assistance, drawing criticism from fans, including some who accept AI in development. CEO Kim Hyung-tae responded that Evie was built over a year by artists and modelers, not from scratch by AI.
The studio also confirmed the Switch 2 version of Stellar Blade Complete Edition will have its first public demo at TGS 2026, with a stage appearance by Kim Hyung-tae. The Switch 2 version is scheduled for release within 2026, following the game's PS5 and PC releases.
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1d ago
SHIFT UP CTO Lee Dong-gi commented on the official music video for Stellar Blade: BLOOD RAIN, which drew mixed reactions after its July release over its use of AI generation technology and video quality. In an interview with TheGamer, he said the video was meant to show more of the game's beauty, world, and characters, and that the studio takes the reactions seriously. He said SHIFT UP will clearly separate game-related content from experimental content going forward, and described AI as a tool that should support developers' creativity. Platforms and release timing remain unannounced.
Aug 27
SHIFT UP announced on August 27, 2026, that the Nintendo Switch 2 version of Stellar Blade Complete Edition will be playable for the first time by the general public at Tokyo Game Show 2026. The demo will feature six stations set up in the Sega Partners Corner within the Sega/Atlus Booth (Hall 4/04-N01) at Makuhari Messe. TGS 2026 runs from September 17 to 21, with business days on the 17th and 18th, and public days from the 19th to the 21st. The Switch 2 version is scheduled for release within 2026. A special stage will be held on September 20, featuring Stellar Blade director and SHIFT UP CEO Kim Hyung-tae. The stage will be conducted in Korean with Japanese interpretation and will be livestreamed on Sega's official YouTube channel. Stellar Blade is an action-adventure game where players control Eve, a member of a space colony unit, fighting to reclaim Earth from creatures called Natives. The game was previously released for PS5 in April 2024 and for PC in June 2025.
Aug 4
SHIFT UP released a music video for "Wanna be in LOVE" Feat. Evie on July 31, tied to the in-development sequel Stellar Blade: BLOOD RAIN. The video, which features protagonist Evie singing and walking through the game's city, was created using game resources and regenerated with AI assistance, as stated in the video description. YouTube's disclosure section notes that audio and visuals were partially modified or entirely generated by AI. The video has drawn criticism from the community, with comments ranging from calls to stop using AI altogether to complaints about low quality, such as Evie's face changing unnaturally and the text "Fairness and Peace" on her suit appearing distorted. Some fans who are not opposed to AI use still reacted negatively, saying "What matters is how AI is used" and "Don't use AI for promotions." SHIFT UP CEO Kim Hyung-tae responded that the character Evie was built over more than a year by the studio's artists and modelers, and that AI did not create her from scratch. The A.I Labs logo appears at the end of the video, and the company has an internal organization focused on AI-driven development efficiency. Platforms and release timing for Stellar Blade: BLOOD RAIN have not been announced.
Jun 5
SHIFT UP officially announced the sequel to its 2024 action game Stellar Blade during the Summer Game Fest 2026 livestream on June 6. The new title is called Stellar Blade: Bloodrain (also styled Stellar Blade BLOOD RAIN). The trailer showed stylish action scenes and cutscenes with high-fidelity graphics. Multiple sources identify the protagonist as a short-haired woman named Evie, while one source suggests the character may be Lily, the mechanic who supported protagonist Eve in the first game. The footage reportedly uses in-game scenes from the PC version. SHIFT UP has not yet released detailed information about the story, release platforms, or launch window. The announcement was part of the Summer Game Fest 2026 showcase, which streamed at 6:00 AM Japan time.