Stellar Blade Studio Boosts Morale with Bonuses, 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 game's success by rewarding all of its employees with a PlayStation 5 Pro and a generous cash bonus of approximately $3,400. Launched in April 2024, Stellar Blade quickly became one of the standout titles of the year, earning high praise from both players and critics.

Despite initial debates over the main character's outfit, Stellar Blade thrived on the PS5 platform post its April 2024 debut. The game boasts an impressive OpenCritic score of 82 and has garnered numerous awards and nominations. It's been celebrated for its dynamic combat, stunning art direction, and captivating soundtrack. Notably, Yoko Taro, the creator of Nier, praised Stellar Blade as surpassing "NieR: Automata," though the game's director humbly refuted this claim. The dedicated team's efforts were recently acknowledged with substantial bonuses, reflecting the ongoing success of the title.

Shift Up shared a touching video on Twitter, showcasing its 300+ employees receiving their PlayStation 5 Pros as a year-end bonus. Alongside the new consoles, each staff member was awarded a bonus of around $3,400. A company spokesperson noted that these rewards were intended to motivate the team moving forward. In July 2024, Shift Up raised an impressive $320 million in South Korea's stock market before its first trading day, marking it as the second-largest public offering of the year in the country.

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

The game's appeal continues to grow, bolstered by notable collaborations. The November 2024 release of the Nier: Automata DLC for Stellar Blade introduced exciting new items and costumes. Additionally, a future collaboration with Goddess of Victory: Nikke was announced in late December, although specifics remain under wraps. A festive holiday event was rolled out in mid-December, enhancing the city of Xion with decorations, new music, and special costumes for characters Eve and Adam.

Initially a PlayStation 5 exclusive, Stellar Blade is set to expand its reach with a PC port in 2025, though a precise release date is yet to be disclosed. Shift Up hinted at a PC version as early as June 2024, expressing confidence in the game's potential to perform exceptionally well on the new platform. Stellar Blade achieved a significant milestone by selling one million copies on the PS5 within just two months of its launch.