Stellar Blade Director Honored for Contributions to Korean Gaming Industry

Hyung-tae Kim, the visionary CEO of South Korean game developer Shift Up and the creative force behind the action title Stellar Blade, has been honored with a Presidential Commendation. This prestigious award acknowledges his profound influence on the advancement of the nation's video game industry, specifically highlighting his achievements with Stellar Blade and the earlier action RPG, Goddess of Victory: Nikke.

Kim expressed his gratitude, attributing the commendation to the unwavering support of his team and the dedicated fan base. He affirmed Shift Up's commitment to continuing their efforts in enhancing the global competitiveness of South Korean games. Goddess of Victory: Nikke, initially a mobile game, later expanded to PC, while Stellar Blade marked Shift Up's successful debut on Steam, significantly broadening its reach to an international audience. Despite some discussions surrounding its aesthetic elements, Stellar Blade garnered critical praise as a robust action game, achieving over three million sales across PC and PS5 by July 2025.

The recognition of Shift Up's contributions extends beyond national borders. Shuhei Yoshida, a former executive at PlayStation, highlighted Stellar Blade's role in boosting the morale and confidence of Korean game creators. Currently, Shift Up is engaged in developing a sequel to Stellar Blade, with Kim promising improvements to the narrative. Additionally, the studio is collaborating with Tencent on a new project, provisionally named Project Spirit, signaling a continued trajectory of innovation and expansion within the global gaming landscape. Such achievements reflect a vibrant and forward-looking industry that consistently delivers compelling and successful titles.