Level Infinite and SHIFT UP Team Up Again — Project Spirits Is Bigger Than Another Mobile Collab

Why this announcement matters – and why I raised an eyebrow

Level Infinite and SHIFT UP announcing a joint development and publishing deal for Project Spirits is more than another press release – it’s a sign that SHIFT UP is doubling down on global scale and that Tencent’s publishing arm wants a sequel to the NIKKE playbook, but on a much broader canvas. This caught my attention because SHIFT UP already proved it can make visually striking, high‑polish titles (GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE, Stellar Blade), and Level Infinite brings the live‑ops and distribution muscle to push those titles worldwide. What gamers should watch for is whether Project Spirits becomes a creatively bold AAA experience or just another cross‑platform product built around live monetization.

• Project Spirits is a cross‑platform Unreal Engine 5 game for PC, consoles, and mobile – built in partnership between SHIFT UP and Tencent affiliate Yongxing Interactive.
• Level Infinite will publish and co‑develop, expanding a relationship that already produced the global hit NIKKE.
• SHIFT UP’s recent wins (Stellar Blade awards, KOSPI listing) give it momentum — but gamers will be scrutinizing design and monetization choices.

Breaking down the deal: what actually changed

On November 26, 2025, Level Infinite (Tencent’s global publishing brand) and SHIFT UP announced Project Spirits, a joint development and publishing partnership that pairs SHIFT UP’s creative studio with Yongxing Interactive, a Tencent affiliate. The technical backbone is Unreal Engine 5, which is now the default expectation for studios promising cinematic visuals and next‑gen fidelity across platforms.

What’s notable here is the word “joint.” This isn’t just Level Infinite handing over a check and localizing a product — the publisher is involved in development. That usually means stronger alignment on scope, monetization strategy, and live‑ops design. For players that can be a good thing (better – and faster – global launch support). For fans of uncompromised creative vision, it raises questions about who gets the final say.

Why this matters now

SHIFT UP rode into 2024 with Stellar Blade’s awards and a public listing on the Korean exchange, signaling it’s moving from boutique studio to major global player. Level Infinite, meanwhile, has been consolidating a portfolio of hits and building a live‑service playbook that scales across regions. The timing makes sense: SHIFT UP has credibility and IP; Level Infinite has global distribution and live‑ops expertise.

From an industry angle, this is part of a broader trend: mid‑sized studios partnering with major global publishers to produce cross‑platform titles that target both hardcore and mobile audiences. If Project Spirits nails cross‑platform parity (think meaningful control schemes, UI, and player progression tuned per platform), it could be a win. If the design skews toward “mobile first” monetization, PC and console players will be frustrated.

What gamers should expect — and what to watch for

Here’s what I’d look for in the next announcements:

• Clear platform focus: Will SHIFT UP promise native control schemes and UI for PC/console, or a one‑size‑fits‑all approach?
• Monetization model: Given NIKKE’s success with gacha mechanics, will Project Spirits reuse that template or steer toward buy‑to‑play/season pass hybrids?
• Release strategy: Simultaneous global launch with local live‑ops support is the ideal; staggered releases often create uneven player experiences and community fragmentation.
• Technical parity: Unreal Engine 5 is a powerful tool, but UE5 on mobile is still a balancing act — expect compromises to hit frame rates and battery life.

Fans of SHIFT UP’s aesthetics should be encouraged: they’ve shown a knack for character design and cinematic presentation. But creative ambition doesn’t guarantee healthy player economies or fair monetization. Level Infinite’s involvement suggests heavy investment in live services — which is a two‑edged sword: it can prolong a game’s life, or squeeze it for recurring revenue at the expense of gameplay balance.

TL;DR — The gamer verdict

Project Spirits is worth watching. SHIFT UP’s momentum and Level Infinite’s global reach make this a plausible next big cross‑platform release, but the partnership’s commercial bent means players should be skeptical about monetization and cross‑platform parity until they see concrete design decisions. Big visuals and a global launch are likely — whether it becomes a beloved game or a well‑polished cash cow depends on choices both studios make in the coming months.