Stellar Blade Sells Over 1 Million Copies on Steam

Stellar Blade, developed by South Korean studio Shift Up and published by PlayStation as a second-party title, has demonstrated strong market performance following its release on Steam. After being exclusive to the PlayStation 5 for over a year, the title launched on PC via Steam on June 11, quickly reaching significant commercial success.

Data from Alinea Analytics show that on its first day alone, the game sold 544,000 copies on Steam. By the end of its first week, it had passed 1.1 million copies sold on the platform, generating more than $56 million in revenue. These figures represent a notable milestone for a new intellectual property that initially launched in 2024.

PC Launch Outpaces Original Console Release

The performance of the Steam version has exceeded the initial momentum seen on PS5. In comparison, the PlayStation 5 version of Stellar Blade sold 566,000 copies in its first week after launch. This means the PC version, despite being a port, has sold at nearly twice the pace of the original release.

Shift Up had stated in its most recent earnings report that it expected stronger performance on PC, and early sales numbers suggest that expectation is being met. In addition to the sales recorded on Steam, Stellar Blade has contributed to a renewed interest in its PlayStation 5 version, which saw an increase of 50,000 units sold in the same week as the PC launch. This was the highest single-week increase for the console version since a promotional price drop in November 2024.

Stellar Blade Sells Over 1 Million Copies on Steam

Record-Breaking PC Launch for a PlayStation-Published Title

Stellar Blade has become the fastest-selling single-player game published by PlayStation on Steam to date. It has outperformed well-established franchises like God of War, The Last of Us, and Spider-Man in launch-aligned comparisons. The only PlayStation-published title to surpass it in first-week PC sales is Helldivers 2, which launched simultaneously on both PC and PS5. While the momentum of Helldivers 2 remained strong beyond its first week, current trends suggest that Stellar Blade’s sales are beginning to stabilize. However, the early performance of the game sets a strong precedent for future PC ports of console-exclusive games.

China Plays a Central Role in Steam Success

A significant factor in Stellar Blade’s strong performance on Steam is the contribution from the Chinese gaming market. Despite not being officially available in China, 56 percent of Steam players for the title are based in the country. This trend is not unique to Stellar Blade, as many recent PC titles see China among their top three markets.

Shift Up took several deliberate steps to appeal to Chinese players. These included offering full Chinese localization, including voice dubbing not present in the PS5 version, and pricing the game at ¥268, or approximately $37, compared to $60 in the United States. In addition, the studio engaged in targeted marketing through local digital platforms such as Billibilli, raising awareness about the game’s Steam launch.

Stellar Blade Sells Over 1 Million Copies on Steam

Final Thoughts

PlayStation has identified the Chinese market as a key area of growth, and Stellar Blade’s Steam success reinforces that focus. The company has invested in initiatives like the China Hero Project, which supports developers based in China, and continues to explore ways to extend its reach beyond traditional Western markets.

The performance of Stellar Blade provides a case study in how strategic localization and platform expansion can unlock new opportunities for engagement and revenue. It also illustrates how a well-executed PC port can have a positive impact on console sales, suggesting a more integrated approach to platform strategy moving forward.

As game publishers and developers evaluate their global strategies, the example set by Stellar Blade may influence future decisions regarding market prioritization, localization, and the timing of PC releases. It also highlights the increasing importance of data coverage that includes markets like China, which continue to play a central role in shaping gaming trends across platforms.