Shift Up, the developer behind the acclaimed action-adventure game Stellar Blade, rewarded its employees with a generous year-end bonus: a PlayStation 5 Pro and approximately $3,400. This substantial gift followed the game's remarkable success since its April 2024 launch.
Stellar Blade's popularity continues to soar, fueled by positive player and critic reception (averaging an 82 on OpenCritic) and several high-profile collaborations. Despite initial controversy, the game's fast-paced combat, stunning art style, and captivating soundtrack have garnered widespread praise. The game's success is further highlighted by its million-unit sales milestone within its first two months on the PS5 and a significant $320 million raised on the South Korean stock market in July 2024.
A heartwarming video shared on Twitter showcased employees receiving their PlayStation 5 Pros. All 300+ Shift Up employees received this bonus, along with the substantial cash reward. The company stated the bonuses aimed to incentivize and motivate its workforce.
Further boosting Stellar Blade's momentum are ongoing collaborations, including a Nier: Automata crossover in November 2024 and a future collaboration with Goddess of Victory: Nikke. A holiday event in December added festive decorations, music, and costumes.
While initially a PlayStation 5 exclusive, Stellar Blade is slated for a PC release in 2025, reflecting Shift Up's confidence in the game's potential on that platform.
