Shift Up, the South Korean game developer behind the popular game Stellar Blade, has given its employees generous rewards. On January 6, the company announced that every staff member received a PlayStation 5 Pro console and a bonus of 5 million won (around $5,000).
This was announced during Shift Up’s first “Shift Up Rise Up” ceremony at the JW Marriott Gangnam in Seoul. The event showcased the company’s vision, achievements, and future plans. A company representative explained that the rewards were meant to recognize the team’s talent and hard work, reinforcing Shift Up’s commitment to keeping its employees motivated.
Founded by the well-known illustrator and CEO Kim Hyung-tae, Shift Up has made significant strides in the gaming industry. Their first game, Goddess of Victory: Nike, released in November 2022, was well-received by subculture gaming fans. The company furthered its success with Stellar Blade in April 2023, an open-world action-adventure game exclusive to the PlayStation 5.
As of the third quarter of 2023, Shift Up employed 311 people, showing its rapid growth and ongoing success. The announcement of the PS5 Pro and bonus solidifies the company’s reputation for recognizing and rewarding its employees’ efforts.
Stellar Blade is exclusively available for the PS5. Shift Up is currently developing a PC version of the game, but they have not announced any plans for a potential sequel. Stellar Blade, along with Black Myth: Wukong, has been a standout among two major projects from third-party developers in Asia that achieved significant success on the PS5.