Stellar Blade Studio Rewards Employees with Bonuses and PS5 Pro Consoles
Shift Up, the developer behind the critically acclaimed action-adventure game Stellar Blade, recently rewarded its employees with a generous year-end bonus: a PlayStation 5 Pro and approximately $3,400. This significant gesture follows the game's remarkable success since its April 2024 launch.
Stellar Blade, initially met with some minor controversy regarding its character design, ultimately soared to popularity on the PS5. 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 have resonated strongly with players and critics alike. The game's continued success is further evidenced by its ongoing collaborations and a highly anticipated PC port slated for 2025.
A heartwarming video shared on Twitter showcased Shift Up's over 300 employees receiving their PlayStation 5 Pros. The substantial cash bonus, according to company representatives, aims to incentivize and motivate the team for future projects. This generosity comes on the heels of a highly successful July 2024 initial public offering (IPO) on the South Korean stock market, making it the second-largest IPO of the year.
The game's momentum shows no signs of slowing. Successful crossovers, such as the November 2024 Nier: Automata DLC and a future collaboration with Goddess of Victory: Nikke, continue to generate excitement and engagement. A December holiday event further enriched the Stellar Blade experience with festive decorations, new music, and additional costumes.
While initially a PlayStation 5 exclusive, Stellar Blade is set to expand its reach with a PC port in 2025. This decision, announced in June 2024, reflects Shift Up's confidence in the game's potential on the PC platform, especially considering its impressive PS5 sales figures—one million units sold within the first two months. The upcoming PC release promises to introduce Stellar Blade to an even wider audience.
