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 launch.

Stellar Blade's popularity continues to soar, 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, striking art style, and captivating soundtrack have earned widespread praise. The game's success is further evidenced by its impressive one million PS5 unit sales within its first two months.

The year-end bonus, distributed to Shift Up's 300+ employees, included the PlayStation 5 Pro and the significant cash bonus. A company representative stated the bonuses aimed to incentivize and motivate the team. This follows Shift Up's highly successful July 2024 initial public offering (IPO), the second largest in South Korea that year, raising $320 million.

The game's momentum shows no signs of slowing. Recent collaborations, including a November 2024 Nier: Automata crossover DLC and a future collaboration with Goddess of Victory: Nikke, have kept Stellar Blade in the spotlight. A holiday event further enhanced player engagement with festive decorations, new music, and costumes.

Initially a PlayStation 5 exclusive, Stellar Blade is slated for a PC release in 2025, a decision announced in June 2024 following strong expectations for the game's performance on the platform. The specific release window for the PC version remains unannounced.