Shift Up Rewards Staff with Big Bonuses, Apple Watch, and AirPods Max for 2026
Shift Up Rewards Staff with Big Bonuses, Apple Watch, and AirPods Max for 2026
South Korea’s renowned game studio Shift Up, known globally for Stellar Blade, has once again made headlines at the start of 2026 by awarding its employees a generous set of gifts. Every staff member, totaling over 300 people, received a special cash bonus of 5 million KRW (approximately $3,900 USD), along with Apple Watch and AirPods Max, bringing the total value of gifts per employee to over $4,500 USD. This move stands out in an industry still facing frequent reports of layoffs worldwide.
This is not the first time CEO Kim Hyung Tae has shown generosity towards his team. In January 2025, employees received PlayStation 5 Pro consoles with cash bonuses, and in June, after Stellar Blade sold over 3 million copies, the company gifted a Nintendo Switch 2 to every employee.
Shift Up’s continued success from the mobile hit Goddess of Victory: Nikke to Stellar Blade on consoles enabled the company to raise $295 million USD (~10.2 billion THB) through an IPO, marking the largest Korean gaming IPO in three years. These funds are fueling team expansion and exciting new projects, including a partnership with Tencent to release new games worldwide.
Currently, Shift Up is developing the highly anticipated Stellar Blade sequel, confirmed to be in full production. The studio plans to expand the game universe and release it on multiple platforms, including consoles and PC, unlike the first installment, which was PlayStation 5-exclusive.
In addition to the Stellar Blade sequel, Shift Up is also working on Project Spirits, an Eastern Fantasy Action RPG powered by Unreal Engine 5, scheduled for a 2027 release. Distribution will be handled globally by Level Infinite, Tencent’s publishing arm, which previously partnered successfully on Nikke, ensuring strong financial stability for the studio.
CEO Kim Hyung Tae stated that the luxurious gifts are meant to share the company’s success and boost morale, fostering creativity and maintaining high-quality standards. This culture not only keeps employees happy but also enhances the company’s reputation, attracting top-tier game developers. Gamers can rest assured that Shift Up’s upcoming titles will continue to deliver stunning visuals and engaging gameplay.
Origin: Videogameschronicle
