At Streamline Studios, mastery, collaboration, and precision define every project we undertake. When Shift Up, creators of the highly anticipated Stellar Blade, needed a trusted partner to help shape the environments of their first console title, they turned to us. This case study highlights how our team worked seamlessly with theirs to craft stunning, gameplay-ready worlds.
Collaborating to Realize a Vision
Stellar Blade represents a bold leap into console gaming for Shift Up, combining intricate storytelling with visually stunning environments. Achieving this balance demanded not only technical expertise but also an artistic vision that could bring their ambitious concepts to life. Shift Up needed a partner who could integrate directly into their workflow, leveraging Unreal Engine expertise to seamlessly embed into their build and development environment. The goal was clear: enable output multiplication and accelerate progress, not slow it down with additional oversight or hand-holding. Streamline rose to the challenge, providing level art for key environments while maintaining fluid and efficient collaboration.
From Concept to Immersion: Crafting Environments
Streamline’s contributions to Stellar Blade focused on delivering comprehensive level art services:
Integrated Level Art Workflow: Working directly in Shift Up’s engine, our level artists and environment artists built upon the provided greyboxes for the Great Desert and Wasteland areas, collaborating with Stellar Blade team. Every change was meticulously aligned with gameplay mechanics and narrative intent, ensuring an immersive player experience.
Lighting and Atmosphere: Our team utilized lighting as both an artistic and functional tool and collaborated with Stellar Blade team to craft an atmosphere that enhanced the emotional tone of each environment. This approach not only brought the scenes to life but also supported gameplay flow.
Seamless Collaboration: With daily commits and transparent reporting, Shift Up had real-time visibility into the progress. This iterative approach fostered rapid feedback and ensured that each milestone was met with precision.
Streamline’s Development Process: Iteration and Innovation
Our development philosophy prioritizes transparency and efficiency. By committing changes daily and providing detailed reports, Shift Up could see progress directly in their build, enabling fast iteration cycles. This approach minimized downtime and ensured a smooth workflow, allowing both teams to remain agile and focused on delivering the highest quality.
Delivering Immersive Worlds: The Results
The collaboration with Shift Up’s Stellar Blade team resulted in:
Fully realized level art for two environments: the Great Desert and Wasteland area.
Lighting and assembly that transformed greyboxes into breathtaking, gameplay-ready environments.
Seamless integration of gameplay elements and paths to enhance player immersion and interaction.
Delivering the Promise of Excellence
At Streamline Studios, every project reaffirms our commitment to delivering the promise. For Stellar Blade, we were more than just a partner—we were an extension of Shift Up’s team, aligning with their vision to bring immersive environments to life. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, we remain at the forefront, creating experiences that captivate players and empower our partners.
Contact Us to explore how Streamline Studios can bring your next project to life.
