Shift Up handed out company-wide bonuses to all employees that included roughly $3,400 in cash alongside Apple AirPods Max headphones and an Apple Watch, according to a report from Korean business outlet Seoul Economic Daily.
The cash portion came to approximately ₩5 million per employee. The gifts weren’t limited to specific teams or departments—every staff member at the South Korean developer reportedly received the full package.
Shift Up is best known for two major titles. Stellar Blade, their 2024 action game, launched as a PlayStation 5 exclusive and soon became one of the platform’s most talked-about releases. The studio also operates Goddess of Victory: NIKKE, a mobile gacha shooter that launched in 2022 and has maintained strong revenue performance globally.
The timing of these bonuses aligns with Shift Up’s recent business success. Both games have contributed significantly to the company’s financial performance, with NIKKE serving as a consistent revenue stream through its free-to-play model while Stellar Blade expanded the studio’s reach into premium console gaming.
Not the first time
This isn’t new behavior from Shift Up. The studio has reportedly distributed high-profile tech gifts to employees multiple times in recent years. Past giveaways included PlayStation 5 consoles, PS5 Pro units, and iPhones—all given out company-wide rather than to select individuals.
The choice of Apple products as rewards does raise practical questions. An Apple Watch requires an iPhone to unlock its full functionality, which could limit its usefulness for Android users on staff. The AirPods Max work across platforms but retail for around $549, making them a premium alternative to other headphone options.
