Emerging as a new powerhouse in South Korea’s game development scene following the success of its IPO, Shift Up is becoming a studio to watch. While the company continues to enjoy the momentum brought by its hit mobile title Goddess of Victory: NIKKE and the PlayStation 5 exclusive Stellar Blade, the studio isn’t slowing down. In fact, it has already begun teasing its next big project. Previously known as Project Witches, the game has now been officially renamed to Project Spirits.
Initially announced some time ago, Project Spirits remains largely shrouded in mystery. Shift Up had previously indicated that the title is being developed for both console and mobile platforms. Now, with the release of the game’s first official artwork, featuring two female characters designed in the studio’s signature and visually striking style, fans are finally getting a small taste of what to expect.
According to the studio, Project Spirits is positioned as a new flagship title for the studio. This label suggests that the game will be a major production, supported by a significant development budget. It will be based on a fantasy setting inspired by Eastern cultural elements, setting it apart from Shift Up’s previous titles.
Development is ramping up as well, with a wave of new job listings related to the project now appearing on Shift Up’s official recruitment channels. Positions include background artists, battle planners, character artists, lead content planners, and level designers, each pointing to the scale and ambition of the game.
Notably, these listings provide some insight into the project’s technical foundation and design. Project Spirits will be built on Unreal Engine 5 and is expected to be an open-world RPG featuring dungeons and expansive exploration, marking a significant step forward in scope compared to the studio’s earlier games.
Shift Up is currently targeting a release window of 2027 for Project Spirits. This timeline would place it after the anticipated launch of Stellar Blade 2, which the company has previously hinted at. With this early glimpse, it’s clear that Shift Up is aiming high, continuing to push the boundaries of Korean game development on the global stage.
