When Stellar Blade was first teased back in 2019 under the title Project Eve, people were both curious and wary about what they should expect. The game was coming from a developer who had previously only worked on mobile titles, and making the jump to a next-gen console is no small feat.
However, we discovered that SHIFT UP knew what it was doing by delivering one of the best PlayStation exclusives of 2024. In contrast, the much-awaited Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth failed to reach expected sales. There are several factors to consider, but it’s clear that exclusivity is not the top reason.
Stellar Blade’s Sales Negate the Curse of Exclusivity
Many feel that platform exclusivity for a title can reduce its potential audience and impact sales. This theory is not incorrect, but one must also consider the quality of the exclusive product. If something is made well, there will always be buyers, be that presently or later down the line.
Stellar Blade has sold over 1 million copies, Shift Up estimates.
— KAMI (@Okami13_) June 25, 2024
PC version is under consideration but no comment due to "contractual obligations."https://t.co/9QFETJfvEC pic.twitter.com/bPvVxRZw3c
That is not the case with Stellar Blade, as SHIFT UP has recently estimated the game has sold over a million copies. This is a massive feat for a new IP to have performed so well in just two months since its launch. Comparatively, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, even with the backing of a publisher such as Square Enix, saw a 91% drop in sales in the second week alone!
Now, there are several aspects to consider when understanding the difference between these two titles. Final Fantasy 7 is a beloved entry in the franchise, but it is also one many people have already played. This could have hampered sales to a degree, and the game also came out not long after the release of Final Fantasy 16.
However, none of these take away from the accomplishment of Stellar Blade. Despite being mired in controversy right from the start, the game has shown it goes beyond fan service and offers a fun and challenging experience. This is enough to account for the sales, but the additional touches of the art style, character design, and world-building further added to its appeal.
SHIFT UP Continues to Add to Stellar Blade’s Offering
The studio has been actively supporting its latest release by consistently adding new features and unlockables, so there’s something to keep the player active. A while ago, it added the highly anticipated boss rush mode, and now gamers can also enjoy a photo mode to take shots of their favorite moments in-game.
Customization too has improved in the game, with a previous patch adding more hairstyles to their characters. While Eve still can’t get rid of her clip, something Hyung-Tae Kim has said he would change in a potential sequel, there are many more to choose from to ensure gamers get the perfect shot with photo mode.
Even small additions like these show that SHIFT UP truly does care about its title and the fans who support it. While some are still a bit sore about the censorship of certain costumes, the community now has a mostly positive sentiment for the game.
Why do you think the two exclusives had such different sales trajectories? Let us know in the comments below!
