Stellar Blade Studio Rewards Employees with Bonuses and PS5 Pro Consoles

Summary

• Stellar Blade developer Shift Up rewarded its employees with a PlayStation 5 Pro and approximately $3,400 each, celebrating the game's remarkable success.
• The game's popularity continues to soar, fueled by highly successful collaborations and positive player reception.
• A PC port is slated for release in 2025.

Shift Up, the studio behind the acclaimed action-adventure game Stellar Blade, generously gifted each of its employees a PlayStation 5 Pro and a bonus of roughly $3,400. Released in April 2024, Stellar Blade quickly became a fan favorite, earning widespread critical acclaim.

Despite initial controversy surrounding the protagonist's attire, Stellar Blade's success on PS5 was undeniable. Boasting an 82 average score on OpenCritic and garnering numerous awards and nominations, the game's fast-paced combat, stunning art style, and captivating soundtrack resonated deeply with players. Even Nier creator Yoko Taro praised the game (a claim subsequently denied by Stellar Blade's director). This year-end bonus handsomely rewarded the dedicated team behind the game's ongoing triumph.

Shift Up shared a heartwarming video on Twitter showcasing employees receiving their PlayStation 5 Pros. The over 300 employees of the Korean studio all received this bonus, along with the substantial cash reward. The company stated the bonuses aimed to boost employee morale and encourage future success. This generosity follows Shift Up's impressive July 2024 achievement: raising $320 million in South Korea's stock market before its first day of trading, making it the second-largest public offering in the country that year.

Shift Up Gifts All Employees a PlayStation 5 Pro and Around $3,400

Stellar Blade's popularity continues to grow, boosted by several high-profile collaborations. A November 2024 crossover with Nier: Automata introduced exciting new items and costumes. A future collaboration with Goddess of Victory: Nikke was announced in late December, though details remain scarce. A holiday-themed event in mid-December added festive decorations to Xion, new music, and special costumes for Eve and Adam.

Initially a PlayStation 5 exclusive, Stellar Blade is set to launch on PC in 2025. Shift Up announced its PC port plans in June 2024, confident in the game's potential on the platform. The PS5 version achieved impressive sales, reaching one million units sold within its first two months.