Project Spirits: SHIFT UP Announces New Eastern Fantasy Cross-Platform Game
The creators of Stellar Blade and NIKKE reveal Project Spirits, a new cross-platform title developed with Tencent's Yongxing Interactive and powered by Unreal Engine 5.
SHIFT UP, the acclaimed South Korean studio behind Stellar Blade and Goddess of Victory: NIKKE, has officially announced Project Spirits—a new flagship cross-platform title embracing Eastern fantasy themes. The game is being co-developed with Yongxing Interactive and will be published globally by Level Infinite.
Project Spirits represents SHIFT UP's most ambitious undertaking yet, targeting PC, console, and mobile platforms simultaneously. The game is being built on Unreal Engine 5, promising the same visual excellence that has become synonymous with the studio's recent releases.
A Powerhouse Partnership
The collaboration brings together significant industry talent. Yongxing Interactive, a Tencent-affiliated studio, contributes a core development team comprised of veterans from major ACG-focused (anime, comics, games) studios. This marks Level Infinite's second collaboration with SHIFT UP following the global success of NIKKE.
Level Infinite, Tencent's global publishing brand, has secured worldwide publishing rights for Project Spirits. The partnership combines SHIFT UP's proven expertise in character design and game development with Tencent's global distribution network and resources.
Eastern Fantasy Vision
While specific gameplay details remain under wraps, SHIFT UP describes Project Spirits as a "subculture cross-platform title" with Eastern fantasy aesthetics. The revealed key visual showcases beautifully designed characters set against traditional Asian architecture, suggesting a world that blends fantasy elements with cultural influences from East Asia.
The "subculture" designation hints at the game's target audience—fans of anime, manga, and related media who have embraced SHIFT UP's previous titles. Given the studio's track record, players can expect stunning character designs courtesy of founder Kim Hyung-tae, a renowned illustrator whose artwork has defined the visual identity of all SHIFT UP games.
SHIFT UP's Rising Empire
Founded in 2013 by Kim Hyung-tae, SHIFT UP has rapidly established itself as one of Asia's premier game developers. The studio's portfolio demonstrates remarkable range and consistent quality:
Stellar Blade launched as a PlayStation 5 exclusive in 2024, earning praise for its challenging action gameplay and stunning visuals. The game follows Eve as she battles alien invaders called Naytibas to reclaim Earth for humanity.
Goddess of Victory: NIKKE became a mobile gaming phenomenon, generating substantial revenue as a "pretty girl gunslinger RPG" where players lead girl warriors called Nikkes against mechanical threats known as Raptures.
Destiny Child, the studio's collectible RPG, built an early fanbase with its distinctive art style and character collection mechanics.
In July 2024, SHIFT UP went public on South Korea's stock exchange, cementing its position as a leading force in the Korean gaming industry.
No release date has been announced for Project Spirits, but the combination of SHIFT UP's artistic excellence, Unreal Engine 5's capabilities, and Tencent's resources suggests a high-profile release is in development. The cross-platform approach—spanning PC, console, and mobile—indicates the studio's ambition to reach the widest possible audience.
For more information, visit SHIFT UP's official games page.
