SHIFT UP didn’t hold back the suspense—in its new financial report for the first quarter of 2026, the studio confirmed that details on the next Stellar Blade and the new Project Spirits will be revealed before the end of the year. Both games, plus projects from UNBOUND (yes, the same Shinji Mikami studio that SHIFT UP recently acquired), will now be published by the developers themselves. No intermediaries. A first-party service, as they call it.
What about the timeline and quality? Development of the new Stellar Blade is proceeding strictly according to plan—SHIFT UP claims that everything meets their internal standards. The company believes that switching to an in-house publisher will allow it to better convey the unique atmosphere of the universe to players. Without unnecessary approvals. Project Spirits is the next flagship. No surprises there: development is also progressing well. More information is promised during 2026. Therefore, SHIFT UP is preparing a strong blow.
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NIKKE in 2026: Chart Tops, Revenue Figures, and Plans for Year 4
NIKKE’s mobile hit is a completely different story. Here, the studio is already reaping the rewards. The 3.5-year anniversary update was a major hit. The global community’s reaction? Extremely positive—I dare say.
New characters and a major content patch have yielded results: high engagement rates and revenue tops. The specifics are impressive:
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Korea — #1 on iOS and Android
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Japan — also #1 on both platforms
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Taiwan — #4 on iOS
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USA — #17 on iOS
Korea and Japan: NIKKE Takes First Place on iOS and Android
What’s all this about? NIKKE is entering its fourth year, and its grip is unwavering. The IP continues to work, and the content quality remains strong. What’s in store for 2026? The plan is: large-scale seasonal events in the first half of the year and a major update for the fourth anniversary in the second half. It’s expected to surpass the figures from the third and a half anniversary. There’s a foundation built on audience trust and the expansion of the universe.
NIKKE Franchise Development: In-Game Content and IP Monetization
SHIFT UP isn’t planning on squeezing NIKKE down to a point where it’s just a donation and then forgetting about it. The franchise has a clear plan—and it’s focused on two fronts: in-game content and IP-based business.
In-game: The developers are constantly introducing fresh experiences. Not just “a new event every two weeks,” but something that breaks repetitive patterns. And it’s working—engagement metrics are growing. NIKKE is in its fourth year, but it looks like it’s just getting going.
Event and offline merch: how SHIFT UP expands the NIKKE universe
Outside the game. Here, SHIFT UP is gradually ramping up its merch. Character recognition is wild, and the fan base is loyal. Product lines and offline touchpoints are expanding. And it’s only getting better: the universe will expand, the merchandise will multiply, and real-life events will become more frequent. So that you can play NIKKE… well, even when you’re not playing.
Stellar Blade as an Evergreen IP: Sales Dynamics and Growth Strategy
Stellar Blade has already become an “evergreen” IP—that’s what such projects are called in industry reports. Sales have been stable since its release, both on PC and consoles. Seasonal discounts and promotions continue to attract newcomers. The long-term trend is steady, without any sharp declines.
What’s next? While the next installment is in development, SHIFT UP isn’t sitting idle. Collaborations with global IPs are one of the tools for expanding brand awareness. Plus, they’re actively seeking new platforms. Seasonal sales, holiday promotions, and strategic discounts will all remain in place. The main goal is to maximize the long-term value of the IP and thank the global community for their support. Sounds like a foolproof plan.
Stellar Blade 2 and SHIFT UP’s own publishing house: what will change?
Development of the new Stellar Blade is proceeding smoothly. No disruptions, no delays—everything is up to the standards. But that’s not the main thing. Starting with the next installment, SHIFT UP is switching to a first-party service model. That is, they’ll be their own publishers. They’ll handle both marketing and player communications themselves. This will allow, as the company says, “to more fully reflect the IP’s uniqueness.” It sounds like a desire to cut out intermediaries—and rightly so.
Why could this be a success? First, the first Stellar Blade already has a strong fan base and the status of an “evergreen” franchise. Second, SHIFT UP is now building its own go-to-market strategy—with a global audience in mind from day one.
Three pillars of strategy: quality of publication, aggressive sales and a loyal base
The three pillars they’re counting on are: their own high-quality publishing house, an aggressive sales strategy, and a proven loyal base. The bottom line is that the next game will perform significantly better than the first.
Project Spirits from SHIFT UP: Development Progress and When to Expect More Details
SHIFT UP’s flagship project, Project Spirits, is also making good progress. Development is progressing well, largely thanks to sound cost control and well-established processes. The studio promises to share more details during 2026. That’s all for now, but it sounds intriguing. Further news remains to be seen. They already have community support.
UNBOUND Studio Acquisition: Why SHIFT UP Acquired Shinji Mikami’s Team
This is a partnership of sorts, as well as a team addition. SHIFT UP and UNBOUND had been eyeing each other for a while: their strategic vision aligned, and the synergies in development were so obvious that they didn’t delay the decision. The studios are already working together on worldbuilding and creative planning, and the results appear to be pleasing to both sides.
60 developers and several projects: what the UNBOUND team can do
UNBOUND has about 60 developers. Many of them have already launched globally successful franchises. The team is entirely focused on creating new games, without regard for anything else. Their portfolio includes several projects of varying calibers: from expensive AAA blockbusters to smaller titles. They plan to release the titles gradually, spreading out the fun. Specific details about UNBOUND’s games will be revealed later—for now, they’re keeping a pause.
First-party publishing house SHIFT UP: global strategy and new specialists
SHIFT UP is publishing the next installment of Stellar Blade and all UNBOUND projects itself. There are no intermediaries. To achieve this, the company is deliberately hiring global specialists—those who have already managed major launches around the world. And you know what’s interesting? The ability to directly publish such titles on a global scale has proven such a compelling argument that top industry professionals are drawn to SHIFT UP. This allows the company to quickly develop its internal publishing capabilities.
Shinji Mikami’s AAA Action RPG: What’s Known About the Secret Project?
Rumor has it that one of the Unbound games is a AAA action RPG that Shinji Mikami has been working on for several years. The project has yet to be officially announced.
