Stellar Blade Mods Challenge SFW Status, Director Stands Firm

The director of Stellar Blade has voiced support for allowing adult-oriented mods. Discover the development team's perspective on game modifications and the studio's future plans.

Stellar Blade Director Discusses Player Freedom and What's Next

Mods Enhance the Gaming Experience

Following the game's launch on Steam, Stellar Blade will allow player-created mods—including mature content—for the foreseeable future. Director and ShiftUp CEO Hyung-tae Kim believes modding enriches and broadens the gaming experience. In a June 14 interview with Korean outlet This Is Game, Kim expressed a positive view of modding, provided it is not misused. He cautioned, however, "There are instances where it borders on hacking or disrupts the intended gameplay. Please exercise discretion."

Technical Director Dong-gi Lee noted that some mods could cause technical issues. He advised, "Mods are not reviewed or tested by our team. While users are free to enjoy them, if you encounter any problems, we recommend restoring the game to its original state for troubleshooting."

Kim also addressed adult mods directly, stating he dislikes limiting player creativity. He emphasized that Stellar Blade is not rated for younger audiences, so there is no grounds for prohibiting such content. His goal is for players to engage with and contribute to the game's creative culture.

"It is the user's freedom. Once they own the game, how they choose to enjoy it is entirely up to them. I have no intention to impose restrictions in that regard. However, as mature members of society, I trust players to use common sense and avoid antisocial or sensitive areas," Kim explained.

Regarding potential misuse of game characters, Kim clarified that responsibility lies with players once the game is sold. He advocates for true ownership of games, contrasting it with the industry's prevalent "rental" model.

He added, "Naturally, if a situation arises that causes public harm, we would need to intervene. We haven't encountered such a case yet. I believe these matters are best managed through individual and community self-regulation, and I have faith in that system."

Kim reiterated that post-purchase, what players do with their game is beyond the studio's control, and he opposes sanctions on that front.

Planned DLC Evolved into a Full Sequel

During ShiftUp's investor presentation on May 16, a sequel to Stellar Blade was confirmed, with a target release before 2027. Kim confirmed "Stellar Blade 2" is in development, though the team is currently focused on the new PC version.

He revealed the sequel originated as DLC for the original game but expanded beyond its initial scope. "A 2027 release would be ideal, but with only three years remaining, I can only promise our best efforts. I am confident it will be an outstanding title," Kim stated.

He acknowledged that the original game's narrative was weaker due to a greater focus on gameplay and action, noting Korea's narrative game development is still evolving. Kim is wary of hastily adding new content now but promised a stronger story for the sequel.

Despite this, Stellar Blade's popularity is soaring. Its PC version has achieved over 192,078 concurrent players on Steam and maintains a "Very Positive" rating.

At Game8, we awarded the PC release a score of 90/100. The visual enhancements, new missions, and additional outfits make this edition feel definitive. Lifting regional restrictions has also made the game more accessible globally. For our full review, see the article below.