Stellar Blade Studio Rewards Employees with Bonuses and PS5 Pro Consoles

Shift Up Rewards Stellar Blade Team with PlayStation 5 Pro and $3,400 Bonuses

Shift Up, the creative force behind the acclaimed action-adventure game Stellar Blade, has generously rewarded its employees with a PlayStation 5 Pro and approximately $3,400 each as a year-end bonus. Launched in April 2024, Stellar Blade quickly became one of the year's standout titles, garnering widespread acclaim and positive reviews from both players and critics.

Despite initial controversy over the protagonist's attire, Stellar Blade achieved remarkable success on the PS5. The game boasts an impressive average score of 82 on OpenCritic and has received numerous awards and nominations. It's celebrated for its dynamic combat, stunning art direction, and captivating soundtrack. Notably, Yoko Taro, the creator of Nier, praised Stellar Blade as "better than NieR: Automata," a claim that the game's director modestly refuted. The dedication of Shift Up's team has been recognized with these substantial bonuses, reflecting the ongoing success of the title.

Shift Up shared a touching video on Twitter, showcasing its staff receiving their complimentary PlayStation 5 Pros. With over 300 employees, the Korean studio ensured that every team member received one of Sony's latest consoles as a token of appreciation for their hard work. Additionally, each employee was awarded a bonus of around $3,400. A company representative stated that these bonuses were intended to motivate the team moving forward. In July 2024, Shift Up successfully raised $320 million on South Korea's stock market before its first trading day, marking it as the second-largest public offering in the country for the year.

Stellar Blade's Continued Success and Future Plans

As Stellar Blade continues to attract players, recent collaborations have kept the game in the spotlight. The November 2024 release of the Nier: Automata DLC introduced new items and costumes, enhancing the gaming experience. Additionally, a future collaboration with Goddess of Victory: Nikke was announced in late December, though specific details and a timeline remain undisclosed. A holiday-themed event in mid-December added festive decorations to the city of Xion, along with new musical tracks and costumes for characters Eve and Adam.

Originally a PlayStation 5 exclusive, Stellar Blade is set to expand its reach with a PC port in 2025. Shift Up announced plans for a PC version in June 2024, expressing confidence that the game would perform exceptionally well on the new platform. Within its first two months, Stellar Blade sold one million units on the PS5, underscoring its strong market performance and the anticipation for its PC release.