Shift Up, the developer behind the 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 substantial gift followed the game's remarkable success since its April 2024 launch.
Stellar Blade, despite initial minor controversies, achieved widespread popularity on the PS5, 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 critical acclaim. The game's continued success is further fueled by several high-profile collaborations.
A heartwarming video shared on Twitter showcased Shift Up's over 300 employees receiving their PlayStation 5 Pros. The $3,400 bonus, according to a company representative, serves as an incentive for continued dedication and hard work. This gesture follows the company's highly successful $320 million public offering in July 2024, the second largest in South Korea that year.
Shift Up's generosity underscores Stellar Blade's ongoing triumph. Recent collaborations, including a Nier: Automata crossover in November 2024 and a future partnership with Goddess of Victory: Nikke, have kept the game in the spotlight. A holiday event in December further enhanced player engagement.
Looking ahead, a PC port of Stellar Blade is slated for release in 2025, a decision made after the game's impressive one million PS5 unit sales within its first two months. Shift Up anticipates strong performance on the PC platform.