Stellar Blade developer SHIFT UP has officially confirmed that new details for the next Stellar Blade game and its upcoming title, Project Spirits, will be revealed sometime in 2026. The announcement was shared during the company’s Q1 2026 financial results briefing, where SHIFT UP also outlined major plans for its future publishing strategy, including self-publishing upcoming console and PC titles globally.

One of the biggest highlights from the report is that both the next Stellar Blade game and future titles from Shinji Mikami’s studio UNBOUND will be self-published directly by SHIFT UP. The move marks a major shift for the company as it expands beyond game development and strengthens its role as a global publisher.

SHIFT UP Preparing for the Next Era of Stellar Blade

According to SHIFT UP, development on the next Stellar Blade project is progressing smoothly and remains on track to meet the studio’s internal quality targets. While the company did not officially confirm the final title, many fans have already begun referring to the sequel as “Stellar Blade 2” following the strong success of the original game on PlayStation 5 and PC.

SHIFT UP stated that the next Stellar Blade game will officially transition the franchise into a first-party publishing model. Rather than partnering with an external publisher, the company will handle publishing operations internally, giving the studio full control over marketing, branding, and global release strategies.

The company explained that self-publishing will allow it to better communicate the identity and universe of Stellar Blade directly to players worldwide. SHIFT UP also believes the combination of an established global fanbase, stronger publishing infrastructure, and long-term franchise planning will help the next Stellar Blade title achieve even greater commercial success than its predecessor.

In addition, the studio plans to continue supporting the Stellar Blade intellectual property through collaborations, seasonal promotions, strategic discounts, and potential platform expansion opportunities.

Project Spirits Reveal Planned for 2026

Another major focus of the financial report was Project Spirits, described by SHIFT UP as its next flagship project. While gameplay details and platform information remain under wraps, the company confirmed that development is progressing steadily with efficient cost management and a structured production pipeline already in place.

SHIFT UP stated that players can expect more information about Project Spirits sometime during 2026. Given the studio’s recent momentum in the console and PC market, anticipation for the new intellectual property is already growing rapidly among fans.

SHIFT UP and UNBOUND Strengthen AAA Development Ambitions

SHIFT UP also discussed its partnership and acquisition deal involving UNBOUND, the new studio led by legendary game creator Shinji Mikami. According to the company, the collaboration was formed due to strong alignment between both studios’ creative and strategic goals.

UNBOUND currently consists of approximately 60 developers, including veterans who have worked on globally successful franchises. Multiple new projects are reportedly already in development, ranging from large-scale AAA experiences to mid-sized titles.

Importantly, SHIFT UP confirmed that future UNBOUND games will also be self-published under the company’s growing first-party publishing strategy. This means SHIFT UP will not only develop its own major franchises but also directly oversee global publishing for titles created through its partnership with UNBOUND.

The company noted that this opportunity has already helped attract experienced publishing talent from around the world as it rapidly expands its internal operations.

Goddess of Victory: NIKKE Continues Strong Global Performance

Alongside its upcoming console projects, SHIFT UP also highlighted the continued success of Goddess of Victory: NIKKE. The game’s recent 3.5th anniversary update reportedly delivered strong engagement and top-grossing rankings across several major regions, including Korea and Japan.

SHIFT UP expects the momentum to continue throughout 2026 with new seasonal content updates and a major fourth anniversary celebration already planned. The company also reiterated its intention to further expand the NIKKE intellectual property through merchandise, offline events, and broader multimedia initiatives.

SHIFT UP Positioning Itself as a Global Publisher

The Q1 2026 briefing makes it clear that SHIFT UP is no longer focusing solely on game development. With the next Stellar Blade title and future UNBOUND games being self-published globally, the company is actively positioning itself as a major worldwide publisher in the PC and console gaming industry.

Combined with the continued success of Goddess of Victory: NIKKE and the upcoming reveal of Project Spirits, SHIFT UP’s future roadmap suggests the company is preparing for a much larger global presence over the next several years.