Stellar Blade Studio Rewards Employees with Bonuses and PS5 Pro Consoles

Summary

• Stellar Blade developer Shift Up gifted its employees a PlayStation 5 Pro and around $3,400 following the game's success.
• The title continues to see popularity, with several high-profile crossovers driving engagement.
• A PC port is expected to be released in 2025.

Shift Up, the creative force behind the acclaimed action-adventure game Stellar Blade, celebrated the title's success by rewarding all of its employees with a PlayStation 5 Pro and a generous bonus of approximately $3,400. Launched in April 2024, Stellar Blade quickly became one of the year's standout games, garnering widespread acclaim 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 been praised 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 dedicated team behind Stellar Blade was recently honored with substantial bonuses in recognition of their hard work and the game's continued success.

Shift Up shared a touching video on Twitter, showcasing its staff receiving their complimentary PlayStation 5 Pros. With just over 300 employees, the Korean studio ensured that everyone enjoyed one of Sony's latest consoles as a year-end bonus. Additionally, each staff member received a bonus of around $3,400. A company representative stated that these generous rewards 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 that year.

Shift Up Gifts All Employees a PlayStation 5 Pro and Around $3,400

As Stellar Blade continues to attract players, recent collaborations have kept the game in the spotlight. The November 2024 release of the Stellar Blade's 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 specifics remain under wraps. A festive holiday event was added to the game in mid-December, featuring decorations in the city of Xion, new musical tracks, and special costumes for Eve and Adam.

Originally a PlayStation 5 exclusive, Stellar Blade is set to expand its reach with a PC port in 2025, although a precise release date has not yet been announced. Shift Up expressed optimism about the game's potential on PC, following the studio's announcement in June 2024. Stellar Blade achieved a significant milestone by selling one million units on the PS5 within its first two months.