Stellar Blade Studio Rewards Employees with Bonuses and PS5 Pro Consoles

Shift Up, the developer behind the acclaimed action-adventure game Stellar Blade, generously rewarded its employees with a PlayStation 5 Pro and a substantial bonus of approximately $3,400 each. This celebratory gesture followed the game's remarkable success since its April 2024 release.

Stellar Blade's popularity continues to soar, fueled by several high-profile collaborations. Initially met with some controversy regarding the protagonist's attire, the game ultimately garnered widespread praise, achieving an 82 average score on OpenCritic and receiving numerous awards and nominations. Its fast-paced combat, striking art style, and captivating soundtrack have all contributed to its critical acclaim. The game's success is further highlighted by a reported one million PS5 unit sales within its first two months.

The year-end bonus, distributed to Shift Up's 300+ employees, included a PlayStation 5 Pro for each individual. The company stated that this generous compensation package aims to boost employee morale and encourage future success. This follows a highly successful July 2024 initial public offering (IPO) on the South Korean stock market, raising $320 million – the second-largest IPO in the country that year.

Shift Up's Employee Appreciation: PS5 Pros and Generous Bonuses

Stellar Blade's ongoing success is further evidenced by its continued collaborations. A Nier: Automata crossover DLC, released in November 2024, introduced new in-game items and costumes. A future collaboration with Goddess of Victory: Nikke was also announced in late December, though details remain scarce. A holiday-themed update in mid-December added festive decorations to Xion, alongside new music and costumes.

Initially a PlayStation 5 exclusive, Stellar Blade is slated for a PC release in 2025. Shift Up announced its intention to port the game to PC in June 2024, anticipating strong performance on the platform.