Nikke’s Partnership With Netflix is Not Happening- Even After Raising $320 Million and Stellar Blade’s Success, Shift Up isn’t Coming to Los Angeles

Nikke is not going to partner with Netflix anytime soon, as was earlier believed to be. The game was earlier anticipated to be turned into a Netflix original anime, but the plans of doing so seem to have come to a halt.

Even after Stellar Blade’s success, Shift Up, which was supposed to open a new office in Los Angeles, will no longer be doing so. Shift Up has no plans to establish a new studio in Los Angeles.

Even After Shift Up’s Recent Success, The Studio Refuses To Turn Completely Commercial

Shift Up is a South Korean game development company that is known for making visually striking games like Nikke: Goddess of Victory and Stellar Blade, which have proved to be immensely successful. Shift Up has managed to gain popularity due to its unique approach to game design and art.

Shift Up recently raised $320 million following the successful run of games like Nikke and Stellar Blade by highlighting their potential. This massive influx of funds positioned the studio high up amongst some of the other studios in the global gaming industry. This recent investment will also pave the way for more ambitious projects and collaborations.

One such collaboration was supposed to happen with Netflix, but it did not materialize. It was rumored that the studio is in talks to adapt the game into an anime. However, it could not materialize, and it has recently been confirmed that there is no partnership happening at this moment in time.

Shift Up and Level Infinite confirmed that reports in an article by Eurogamer about “NIKKE becoming an anime for Netflix” and “SHIFT UP’s new Los Angeles studio” are both incorrect!

“The official response is as follows.

1) At present, SHIFT UP has no plans to establish a new… pic.twitter.com/hczplVKdFw

— Genki✨ (@Genki_JPN) November 14, 2024

Despite the recent success, Shift Up is adamant about sticking to its roots in South Korea and not expanding to Los Angeles, which is a hub of video game studios.

There could be various reasons attached with the studio’s decision to stay in South Korea itself. The studio might want to maintain creative control, get away from the high production cost in the USA, or just simply contribute to the growing gaming industry in South Korea.

The $320 Million Funding Might Be Used To Build Upon Existing IPs

The decision to not collaborate with Netflix or even expand its office to Los Angeles stems from the desire to maintain creative control and focus on building its own IPs further following their successful run.

The studio wants to focus on localized content and digital distribution of its games globally instead of physically expanding and losing touch with its roots. This strategy might prove quite beneficial in the future.

Fans do have mixed reactions to the news of the studio not collaborating with Netflix since people really wanted to see its games being adapted for screen. What do you think about it? Let us know in the comments below.