Shift Up CEO Was “Following His Instincts” When Creating Stellar Blade Character Designs

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"Players Like The Character Designs And They Want It!"

Story Highlight
  • Shift Up CEO explained that his instincts and personal preferences guided the character designs for Stellar Blade and Nikke.
  • He revealed that designing attractive characters is something he enjoys and appeals to the player base.
  • Kim’s character designs combine gameplay with a bold visual style that many fans seem to enjoy.

Hyung-Tae Kim, the CEO of Shift Up, recently the reason behind his creative choices for the character designs in two major titles: Stellar Blade and Goddess of Victory: Nikke.

In a casual interview, Kim shared that his style of creating attractive characters comes from his own tastes and instincts. He also explained that these designs connect with the audience and reflect his artistic vision.

Why it matters: Stellar Blade has been a major success for Shift Up and Sony, primarily due to the “Stellar” character designs. 

Shift Up CEO Vision Behind Stellar Blade Character Designs
Shift Up CEO’s interview with Game Watch Japan (Google Translation)

In an interview with a Japanese outlet at Tokyo Game Show 2024, Kim revealed:

Players also like it [character designs] and want it. However, I like it myself, so I follow my instinct.

-Shift Up CEO

Kim’s comments come at a time when character designs in video games are intentionally made “ugly.” However, the experienced artist behind Stellar Blade remains confident in his choice to make attractive character designs.

Kim explained that these designs reflect both his personal tastes and what players enjoy. He noted that the attractive elements are not just meant to attract a specific audience but are a key part of his creative vision.

Kim’s approach to character design isn’t new; he has decades of experience, having worked on games like Magna Carta and Goddess of Victory: Nikke. His background as an illustrator shapes his current projects.

Stellar-Blade-Eve
Stellar Blade’s combat is arguably one of the Best out there. | Image By Tech4Gamers

When discussing the design of Eve in Stellar Blade, Kim shared that the team created many versions to achieve the desired “charm.” They transitioned from 2D illustrations to 3D scans, which helped them capture a more unique visual style.

Goddess of Victory: Nikke is a mobile game featuring an all-female team and Kim’s signature character designs. This has attracted a large player base that enjoys both the game’s mechanics and aesthetics.

With both Stellar Blade and Nikke, Kim’s work combines gameplay with a bold visual style that many fans love. Kim balances his style with what players want, confidently navigating differing opinions in the gaming community.

What do you think of Shift Up CEO’s vision behind his character designs? Are you a fan of attractive character design in video games? Join the discussion on Tech4Gamers Forum.

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