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 reward followed the game's remarkable success since its April 2024 launch.

Stellar Blade's popularity continues to surge, fueled by several high-profile collaborations. Despite initial controversy surrounding the protagonist's attire, the game achieved critical acclaim, boasting an 82 average score on OpenCritic and garnering numerous awards and nominations. Its fast-paced combat, stunning art style, and captivating soundtrack have earned widespread praise. The game's success even prompted Nier creator Yoko Taro to controversially claim it surpasses NieR: Automata, a statement the Stellar Blade director refuted.

The recent employee bonuses, highlighted in a heartwarming video on Shift Up's Twitter, underscore the company's appreciation for its dedicated team. All 300+ employees received a PS5 Pro and the significant cash bonus, intended to incentivize future endeavors. This generosity comes after Shift Up's record-breaking $320 million public offering in July 2024, the second largest in South Korea that year.

Shift Up Celebrates Stellar Blade's Success with Generous Employee Bonuses

Stellar Blade's momentum continues with ongoing collaborations, including a NieR: Automata crossover DLC in November 2024, and a future collaboration with Goddess of Victory: Nikke. A holiday event in December further enhanced the game's appeal with festive additions to Xion city and new content.

Initially a PlayStation 5 exclusive, Stellar Blade is slated for a PC release in 2025, a decision made after considering player demand and the game's impressive one million PS5 unit sales within its first two months. Shift Up anticipates strong performance on the PC platform.