Shift Up, the developer behind the acclaimed action-adventure game Stellar Blade, recently rewarded its employees with substantial year-end bonuses. Each employee received a PlayStation 5 Pro console and approximately $3,400. This generous gesture followed the game's remarkable success since its April 2024 release.
Stellar Blade, despite initial controversy, achieved widespread popularity on the PS5, garnering an 82 average score on OpenCritic and numerous accolades. Its fast-paced combat, striking visuals, and captivating soundtrack have earned significant praise. The game's continued success is further fueled by several high-profile collaborations.
A heartwarming video shared on Twitter showcased employees receiving their PS5 Pros. The over 300 employees of the Korean studio all benefited from this bonus, intended to incentivize and appreciate their hard work. This follows Shift Up's impressive $320 million initial public offering in July 2024, the second-largest in South Korea that year.
Shift Up's Generous Bonuses for Stellar Blade's Success
Stellar Blade's popularity continues to grow, driven by collaborations such as a November 2024 Nier: Automata crossover DLC and a future collaboration with Goddess of Victory: Nikke. A holiday event in mid-December further enhanced the game's appeal.
Initially a PlayStation 5 exclusive, Stellar Blade is slated for a PC release in 2025. This decision, announced in June 2024, reflects Shift Up's confidence in the game's potential on the PC platform, following its impressive one million PS5 unit sales within the first two months.
