Stellar Blade’s PC launch turned out to be such a massive success that developer Shift Up is now eyeing every platform on the market. In a November 10, 2025 earnings report Q&A session, the South Korean studio revealed plans to consider additional platform expansions to make the action game accessible to more players. Translation: Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch 2 ports are probably on the way, breaking the game’s status as a PlayStation exclusive.
The PC Success Story
Stellar Blade hit PC through Steam on June 11, 2025, roughly 14 months after its PlayStation 5 exclusive launch in April 2024. The results exceeded even Shift Up’s optimistic projections. In the third quarter earnings report, the studio stated that combined sales across PC and PS5 platforms met internal expectations, with the PC version maintaining strong sales momentum even in its fourth month after launch. The game earned an overwhelmingly positive 93% rating on Steam, proving that the PC gaming audience was hungry for this particular flavor of stylish action combat.
What makes this particularly interesting is that Shift Up had previously suggested the PC version might ultimately perform better financially than the console version. They pointed to Steam’s expanding market share in the AAA game sector and the global success of titles like Black Myth Wukong as evidence that PC gaming had reached a scale where ports could match or exceed console sales. Stellar Blade appears to have validated that hypothesis, and now Shift Up wants to replicate that success on other platforms.
What Platforms Are Next?
While Shift Up didn’t explicitly name Xbox or Nintendo Switch 2 in their earnings statement, the language used makes it pretty obvious. The company mentioned considering additional platform expansions – plural – to make Stellar Blade accessible to more players. Since the game is already on PS5 and PC, that leaves Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo’s upcoming Switch 2 as the logical next targets for ports.
The Switch 2 possibility is particularly intriguing. Nintendo’s next-generation console is expected to be significantly more powerful than the original Switch, potentially capable of running current-gen titles with some visual compromises. Stellar Blade runs on Unreal Engine 4, which has proven scalable across a wide range of hardware. If Shift Up can optimize the game for Switch 2’s architecture, they’d gain access to Nintendo’s massive install base and a platform with historically strong attach rates for quality third-party titles.
The Xbox Question
An Xbox port would be more straightforward from a technical perspective since the Series X/S shares similar architecture with PS5. The real question is whether Sony, who published the original PS5 version, has any exclusivity restrictions that would prevent or delay an Xbox release. Recent precedent suggests those barriers might be lower than expected. Helldivers 2, another Sony-published title, made the jump to Xbox earlier in 2025, establishing that PlayStation is willing to share even its exclusives when the business case makes sense.
For Shift Up, bringing Stellar Blade to Xbox means tapping into Game Pass potential. Microsoft’s subscription service has become a major discovery platform for games, and a day-one Game Pass launch (or even adding the game months after release) could introduce Stellar Blade to millions of subscribers who might not have purchased it outright. The additional revenue from a port plus potential Game Pass payment could be substantial enough to justify any development costs.
Maintaining the IP Momentum
Shift Up’s strategy goes beyond just porting to more platforms. The earnings report emphasized their commitment to maintaining Stellar Blade’s popularity through consistent content updates, promotional activities, and seasonal events. The Nier Automata collaboration DLC that dropped on November 20, 2025, is part of this approach, keeping the game relevant in gaming conversations while the studio works on platform expansions and potentially a sequel.
This is smart IP management. Rather than launching on PS5, disappearing for two years, and then suddenly showing up on other platforms, Shift Up is keeping Stellar Blade alive with regular updates while systematically expanding its reach. The PC launch brought in a new wave of players and positive reviews. Now Xbox and Switch 2 ports could do the same, creating multiple marketing moments spread across years instead of one big launch that eventually fades from memory.
What This Means for PlayStation Exclusives
Stellar Blade’s platform expansion is part of a broader trend where PlayStation exclusives don’t stay exclusive forever. Sony has consistently released its first-party titles on PC months or years after console launches, and we’re now seeing third-party titles published by Sony following the same path. This represents a significant shift from the PlayStation 3 and PS4 eras when exclusives meant actually exclusive.
From a business perspective, this makes total sense. The development costs for modern AAA games have skyrocketed, and limiting sales to a single platform leaves money on the table. By expanding to PC first (since it’s less directly competitive with PlayStation) and potentially Xbox/Switch later, publishers maximize revenue while still giving PlayStation a timed exclusivity window that adds value to the console. It’s a win-win situation, unless you’re the kind of fan who derives satisfaction from other people not being able to play games.
Timeline Expectations
When can Xbox and Switch 2 players actually expect to play Stellar Blade? That’s the million-dollar question. The PC port took about 14 months after the PS5 launch, but with that version now completed and optimized, additional ports should theoretically be faster. Xbox Series X/S could see a release in early to mid-2026, given the architectural similarities with PS5.
Switch 2 is trickier since Nintendo hasn’t even officially announced the console yet, though everyone expects it in 2025. Assuming Switch 2 launches in spring 2026, a Stellar Blade port could arrive anywhere from late 2026 to early 2027, depending on how much optimization work is required and whether Nintendo provides development kits early enough for third-party studios to have launch window titles ready.
The Sequel Factor
Shift Up officially announced in May 2025 that a Stellar Blade sequel is in development. Having the original game available on as many platforms as possible before the sequel launches makes strategic sense. It builds the fanbase, establishes brand recognition across different gaming ecosystems, and creates opportunities for bundle deals or cross-promotions when Stellar Blade 2 eventually releases.
Imagine this scenario: Stellar Blade 2 launches simultaneously on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Switch 2 in 2027 or 2028. Players who discovered the first game through ports on their preferred platform are already invested in the IP and ready to buy the sequel day one. Meanwhile, newcomers can pick up the original at a discount to catch up before jumping into the sequel. That’s how you build a sustainable franchise in the modern multiplatform era.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Stellar Blade coming to Xbox?
While not officially confirmed, Shift Up stated in November 2025 that they’re considering additional platform expansions for Stellar Blade. With the game already on PS5 and PC, Xbox Series X/S is a logical next target.
When did Stellar Blade release on PC?
Stellar Blade launched on PC through Steam on June 11, 2025, roughly 14 months after its initial PlayStation 5 release in April 2024. The PC version has been very successful, maintaining strong sales and earning a 93% positive rating on Steam.
Will Stellar Blade come to Nintendo Switch 2?
Shift Up’s earnings report mentioned considering platform expansions to reach more players. Since the game is already on PS5 and PC, Switch 2 is a likely candidate for a future port, though nothing has been officially confirmed.
Is Sony preventing Stellar Blade from coming to Xbox?
Sony published the original PS5 version, but recent examples like Helldivers 2 coming to Xbox suggest Sony is willing to allow multiplatform releases for third-party developed titles. The specific terms of Sony’s publishing agreement with Shift Up are not publicly known.
How successful was Stellar Blade on PC?
According to Shift Up’s earnings report, the PC version maintained strong sales momentum even four months after launch. Combined sales across PC and PS5 met internal expectations, and the game earned a 93% Very Positive rating on Steam.
When will Stellar Blade come to other platforms?
No official release dates have been announced for additional platforms. Based on the PC port timeline, Xbox could potentially see a release in early to mid-2026, while Switch 2 might come later depending on that console’s launch timing.
Is there a Stellar Blade sequel?
Yes, Shift Up officially announced in May 2025 that a Stellar Blade sequel is in development. Additional details about the sequel have not been revealed yet.
Final Thoughts
Stellar Blade’s journey from PlayStation 5 exclusive to potential multiplatform hit showcases how the gaming industry is evolving. Exclusivity still matters for launch windows and driving console sales, but in the long run, maximizing a game’s reach across platforms makes more financial sense than artificial restrictions. Shift Up’s transparent approach to platform expansion, driven by the PC version’s success, shows a studio that understands the modern gaming landscape.
For players, this is nothing but good news. More people getting to experience Stellar Blade’s stylish combat, gorgeous visuals, and challenging gameplay benefits everyone. Xbox and Switch 2 owners will hopefully get their chance to play one of 2024’s surprise hits sometime in 2026, while Shift Up builds toward an even bigger sequel launch. The era of permanent platform exclusives is ending, and games like Stellar Blade are proving that going multiplatform doesn’t diminish a title’s value – it amplifies it.