The Weeknd has shared photos from his visit to Stellar Blade: Blood Rain developer Shift Up. Find out what the photos reveal about the upcoming sequel and why one has sparked speculation about a possible cameo.
The Weeknd Shares Photos of Stellar Blade: Blood Rain’s Main Menu and Shift Up Studio
New Photos Show The Weeknd Trying Stellar Blade: Blood Rain
The Weeknd has shared photos from his visit to Stellar Blade: Blood Rain developer Shift Up, including a look at the sequel's main menu. In his caption, he called the visit "an unforgettable day" with CEO Kim Hyung-tae and thanked the studio for its "warm welcome and inspiration." A photo of the singer inside a 3D scanning booth has since fueled speculation about a possible in-game appearance.
The Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, is a Grammy-winning singer. However, he is also an avid gamer who has recently shared his enthusiasm for the Persona series and the indie fishing game About Fishing. He visited Shift Up's headquarters on October 6 ahead of his concerts in South Korea, where he met CEO Kim Hyung-tae and tried Stellar Blade: Blood Rain, which remains in development. Photos posted the following day show Kim holding a PlayStation 5 DualSense controller, with the game's screen reflected in a nearby glass surface. The controller does not confirm the sequel's platforms, which Shift Up has yet to officially announce. Shift Up will handle publishing for Blood Rain itself, following the original Stellar Blade, which was published by Sony Interactive Entertainment.
The main menu provides the clearest look at Blood Rain itself being "played" after its announcement back in June 2026, during Summer Game Fest. Its options include Continue, New Game, Load, Checkpoint, and Quit Game. The screen's artwork depicts a large ring structure suspended above a planet amid a field of nebulae. The image offers a small new detail about the game's presentation, though it reveals little about its story or gameplay.
Could The Weeknd Cameo in Stellar Blade: Blood Rain?
The photo attracting a different kind of attention shows The Weeknd standing inside a DMade3D scanning booth. The equipment is designed for photogrammetry, a process that uses photographs taken from multiple angles to build a detailed three-dimensional model. According to its manufacturer, South Korean company 3D Scan Korea, the system can use more than 180 mirrorless cameras to capture full-body subjects and other objects.
Photogrammetry can help game developers create realistic digital characters from scans of real people. The image has led fans to speculate that Shift Up could use The Weeknd's likeness in Blood Rain. His presence inside the booth does not establish that a scan took place, and Shift Up has not announced a role for the singer. Fans have raised the possibility of a soundtrack contribution as well, though no musical collaboration has been confirmed.
Stellar Blade: Blood Rain follows the original game with Evie as its new protagonist. Her story connects to Eve's, and Shift Up has described the sequel as an urban action game set in a city influenced by East Asian settings. Players can expect the series' familiar action combat alongside a new fighting style designed around Evie's abilities.
Shift Up has yet to share a launch date as work progresses on its next major release. Even so, unexpected studio tours from stars like The Weeknd keep Blood Rain firmly in the minds of fans. For more on Stellar Blade: Blood Rain’s release, check out our article below:
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The Weeknd’s Visit to Shift Up’s Studio Posted on Instagram
Shift Up | 시프트업, SGF 2026 참가…'스텔라 블레이드: 블러드 레인' 최초 공개
3D Scan Korea | DMade3D Studio
