Shift Up CEO Welcomes PC Mods But Asks Players to Be Responsible

Shift Up CEO Kim Hyung-tae has shared his thoughts on mods for Stellar Blade following the PC version’s launch, taking a surprisingly open approach while asking players to be responsible. In a recent interview, Kim revealed that his company doesn’t have strict rules against mods. “As long as it’s not abused, I think mods also play a positive role in expanding the game play experience,” he explained.

The CEO acknowledged that mods come in many forms – from simple gameplay tweaks to complete visual overhauls. While he generally supports the modding community, Kim did express some concerns about certain types of modifications.

“There are cases where it is close to hacking or interferes with the normal operation of the game. Please be mindful of such cases when applying it,” he warned. Technical Director Lee Dong-ki added that some players have experienced game problems while using mods, since these modifications aren’t officially tested by the development team.

What Kind of Mods Does Kim Want to See?

When asked about his expectations for future mods, Kim showed enthusiasm for creative possibilities. While he noted that costume changes and visual modifications are popular, he’s hoping for something more ambitious.

“I think it would be really welcome if there were mods that expand the user’s play experience itself,” Kim said. He’s particularly interested in modifications that change how players enjoy the game, rather than just cosmetic updates.

Interestingly, Kim also threw down a playful challenge to modders: “The firepower of the modders is still weak. It’s a bit lacking. Up until now, I think the official content is still better.”

Adult Content and Player Freedom

One of the more controversial topics addressed was adult-oriented mods. Kim took a hands-off approach, explaining that since Stellar Blade is already rated for mature audiences, he doesn’t see justification for regulating such content.

“It is the user’s freedom, and I think it is entirely up to the user to choose how to enjoy the game once they own it,” he stated. However, he did ask players to act responsibly and avoid anything that could be considered anti-social.

Kim’s philosophy centers on the idea that players “own” the game after purchase, not just rent it. This gives them freedom to modify their experience, though he emphasizes that sharing inappropriate content publicly comes with social responsibility.

Technical Challenges and Future Updates

The development team acknowledged that mods can sometimes cause technical issues. Players experiencing problems are advised to revert to the original game files for testing. The team is also working on updates to address some control issues that have made certain mods necessary. For example, they’re planning to fix the scan function mapping on Xbox controllers, which has been awkward for PC players compared to the PlayStation version’s touchpad controls.

The discussion about mods comes as Stellar Blade celebrates major success on PC, hitting over 180,000 concurrent players on Steam within days of launch. Kim admitted he originally hoped for around 100,000 players but is grateful for the overwhelming response.

“Rather than obsessing over the maximum number of concurrent users, I think it’s more important to manage the game so that it can be loved consistently,” he reflected.

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