Stellar Blade Studio Celebrates Success, Rewards Team

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 console and approximately $3,400. This significant gesture follows the game's remarkable success since its April 2024 launch.

Stellar Blade, despite initial controversy, quickly became a critical and commercial hit on the PS5. Its impressive 82 average score on OpenCritic, numerous awards and nominations, and fast-paced combat, stunning art style, and captivating soundtrack have garnered widespread praise. The game's popularity continues to grow, fueled by several high-profile collaborations.

The company's generous bonus, shared via a heartwarming video on Twitter, reflects Shift Up's appreciation for its over 300 employees. This reward aims to boost morale and incentivize continued dedication. The bonus follows a highly successful July 2024 initial public offering (IPO) on the South Korean stock market, the second-largest of the year.

Stellar Blade's continued success is evident in its ongoing partnerships. A Nier: Automata crossover in November 2024 introduced new in-game content, and a future collaboration with Goddess of Victory: Nikke is also planned. A holiday event further enhanced player engagement in December.

Initially a PlayStation 5 exclusive, Stellar Blade is slated for a PC release in 2025, a decision fueled by the game's impressive one million PS5 unit sales within its first two months and the studio's confidence in its PC performance. No specific release date for the PC port has been announced yet.