In a move that raises the bar for workplace morale (and dental bills), a certain South Korean studio has decided to shower its employees with a cornucopia of lavish gifts to ring in the new year. Because who wouldn’t want to start January with a hefty cash bonus and a fancy pair of headphones?
Gifts Galore: The New Year Shenanigans
According to the ever-watchful Seoul Economic Daily, this studio, with a staff of around 300, opted for a “thank you” that’s not just a warm fuzzy feeling but also a substantial cash bonus and an arsenal of Apple gadgets. Employees were each treated to a shiny set of Apple AirPods Max, an Apple Watch, and a generous ₩5 million cash bonus, which translates to about $3,400. In total, that’s more than $4,000 per staff member—essentially a golden ticket to happiness or at least a few extra trips to the coffee shop.
Gifting: A Little Tradition
This act of generosity is nothing new! In a display of unwavering gratitude, this studio previously embraced the spirit of giving in January 2023 with iPhone 14s! And who can forget the birth of the prepaid credit card that came loaded with ₩10 million ($6,800) the year after? Because who wouldn’t want to feel like a millionaire for a hot minute?
Looking ahead to January 2025, rumors swirl that the ultimate ‘thank you’ will include the much-sought-after PlayStation 5 Pro, paired once again with a ₩5 million bonus. And, just to spice things up a bit, in June, to celebrate the sale of a whopping 3 million copies of an acclaimed title, every lucky employee will receive a Nintendo Switch 2! Who says work can’t be fun?
The Business of Feeling Good
This studio has openly shared its rationale for such extravagant gifting—mainly, it’s an attempt to ensure that the most talented folks stick around. Because let’s face it, who would leave a job where every quarter feels like a birthday party?
From Small Beginnings to Soaring Success
Founded in 2013 by the illustrious Kim Hyung Tae, who’s currently wearing multiple hats as CEO and chairman, this studio has not just been coasting by. Come summer 2024, it made waves with South Korea’s largest initial public offering (IPO) for a video game company in three years, raking in ₩435 billion ($295 million) on the very first day. Talk about making it rain!
New Collaborations and Upcoming Titles
In a twist of destiny, the studio also announced a grand publishing partnership with Tencent for an upcoming title, cleverly named Project Spirits. This forthcoming cross-platform game will grace PCs, consoles, and mobiles, and will be lovingly ushered into existence by Tencent Games’ global publishing brand Level Infinite. It seems a win-win for both parties!
For those keeping score, Level Infinite had previously published Goddess of Victory: Nikke, a game that graced both PC and mobile platforms back in 2022, catching fire just before this studio soared to success with its own gem, Stellar Blade. And the fun doesn’t stop there!
The Sequel Saga
Last year, this studio excitingly unveiled its plans for a sequel to Stellar Blade, aiming for a release by the end of 2027. The previous financial results hinted that this sequel would hit shelves before Project Spirits does. So, gamers, mark your calendars—2027 is shaping up to be a blockbuster year!
Who knew the world of gaming could be so generous? With all these gifts flying around, one can only wonder what next year has in store. Perhaps a gold-plated gaming chair? Only time will tell!
