Shift Up Rewards Employees with PS5 Pro and Bonuses After Stellar Blade Success

SEOUL, South Korea — Shift Up, the studio behind the hit PlayStation 5 action game *Stellar Blade*, has gifted all of its approximately 300 employees a PlayStation 5 Pro and a year-end bonus of 5 million won (approximately $3,400). The generous rewards were announced during a company event held in Seoul on Monday, celebrating the studio’s success in 2023.

The PS5 Pro consoles were distributed to employees to allow them to experience *Stellar Blade* in 4K resolution, as the game has been optimized for the enhanced console. A Shift Up representative told South Korean media that the bonuses were intended to “encourage the existing talent at the company.” The studio also shared a video of the event on social media, showcasing the distribution of the consoles and teasing glimpses of characters from *Stellar Blade*.

*Stellar Blade*, released exclusively for the PS5 in 2023, marked Shift Up’s first console game and quickly became a commercial and critical success. The game has sold over 1 million units worldwide and received nominations at The Game Awards. The studio, founded in 2013 by CEO Kim Hyung-tae, went public last summer, raising 435 billion won ($320 million) on its first day of trading. Shift Up plans to use the IPO proceeds to diversify its game portfolio.

The employee rewards come as a refreshing contrast to the widespread layoffs and studio closures that have plagued the gaming industry in recent years. Major companies like Sony and Microsoft have faced criticism for cutting jobs despite record-breaking game sales. Shift Up’s gesture highlights its commitment to retaining and motivating its workforce.

Looking ahead, Shift Up is considering a PC release for *Stellar Blade* by 2025, capitalizing on the growing market share of AAA games on the platform. The studio is also exploring the possibility of developing a new intellectual property (IP) to expand its creative horizons.