Stellar Blade sequel could release day-one on PCs, after original launched as PS5 exclusive

Korean developer Shift Up has issued a new progress report for the Stellar Blade sequel. It’s now recruiting for a wide range of positions, including artists, composers, and programmers. The company also emphasizes that the game will be a multi-platform release. That has raised speculation that it may launch without PlayStation exclusivity.

According to the press release, the studio is seeking talented individuals to create a “next-generation multiplatform action game.” It’s also planning to ship the title on “various platforms such as consoles and PCs”. However, the translation isn’t definitive about whether Stellar Blade 2 would debut simultaneously on all systems.

Stellar Blade was a PS5 exclusive game for 18 months before it arrived on PCs. While PlayStation doesn’t own Shift Up, Sony Interactive Entertainment published the title. The official update notes that the game was a success on the console, but enjoyed a huge boost after appearing on Steam. In fact, it achieved around half of the PS5’s total of 2 million+ sales within three days and set player count records.

How Sony's cross-platform plans could affect Stellar Blade 2

Rumors suggest that Sony may also decide to stop locking first-party PS5 games to its consoles. Recently, a dataminer unearthed a PS5 PC cross-buy logo, sparking discussion about a change in strategy. Still, some insiders believe PlayStation will keep single-player projects as timed exclusives.

Without a publisher for its next game announced, a cross-platform launch may be too lucrative for Shift Up to pass up. Regardless, the gaming landscape could be very different on the Stellar Blade sequel release date. The fact that the company is still looking to fill key development roles may mean fans are in for a long wait. By 2027, the PS6 and a new Xbox console could be available, with different approaches to exclusivity.

The next Stellar Blade is expected to feature more expansive environments, with hints of an open-world structure. Director Kim Hyung-tae also seems determined to improve the shaky narrative. Games Radar reported on a conversation with Final Fantasy legend Naoki Hamaguchi, which may have focused on story-building.