Recent job listings suggest that Shift Up is strengthening key areas that are usually handled by a publisher, such as localization, marketing, and public relations. In the open positions section, the studio mentions its plan to expand its self-publishing capabilities to better support games developed internally for console and PC. This move follows the global success achieved with NIKKE and the first Stellar Blade.
A company spokesperson also stated that the goal is to become more independent and improve its skills as a global multi-platform publisher.
Shift Up Aims for Greater Independence
The reason behind this strategy is to fully support the studio’s titles, in line with its recent international growth. By building its own publishing structure, Shift Up may be preparing to release future games without relying on external partners.
This could potentially mean that Stellar Blade 2 might be published independently, without the support of PlayStation.
At the moment, nothing has been officially confirmed. It is unclear whether there are existing agreements with Sony that could keep the sequel tied to PlayStation. It is also unknown whether Shift Up truly plans to change direction.
One detail that stands out is that there was no mention of a mobile release, at least for now.
Overall, Shift Up seems to be putting together the pieces for a possible shift in its market strategy — one that could reshape the future of Stellar Blade 2.
