Stellar Blade Studio Appreciates Employees with Bonuses and Gaming Consoles

Shift Up, the developer behind the acclaimed action-adventure game Stellar Blade, recently rewarded its employees with a generous year-end bonus: a PlayStation 5 Pro console and approximately $3,400. This significant gesture follows the game's remarkable success since its April 2024 release.

Stellar Blade, initially met with some minor controversy regarding its character design, quickly became a critical and commercial triumph on the PS5. Its fast-paced combat, stunning visuals, and captivating soundtrack garnered an average score of 82 on OpenCritic, leading to numerous awards and nominations. The game's popularity continues to grow, fueled by several high-profile collaborations.

A heartwarming video shared on Twitter showcased Shift Up's over 300 employees receiving their PS5 Pros. This substantial bonus, along with the cash reward, aims to boost employee morale and incentivize future endeavors. The company's success is further underscored by its July 2024 initial public offering (IPO), the second-largest in South Korea that year, raising $320 million.

The momentum continues with ongoing collaborations. A Nier: Automata crossover DLC launched in November 2024, introducing new content, while a future collaboration with Goddess of Victory: Nikke is also planned. A holiday event in mid-December added festive decorations, music, and costumes.

Looking ahead, Stellar Blade is slated for a PC release in 2025, a decision made following the game's impressive one million PS5 sales within its first two months and the studio's confidence in its PC performance. The PC port's release window remains unannounced.