Shift Up Buys Shinji Mikami’s Studio Unbound

In a significant move for the global games industry, Stellar Blade developer SHIFT UP has completed the full acquisition of UNBOUND, the Tokyo studio founded by legendary creator Shinji Mikami. The deal, announced by the company, integrates the entire UNBOUND development team into SHIFT UP’s structure, marking a major expansion of its console and PC game development pipeline. The studio is actively working on original intellectual properties for the global market.

This strategic acquisition allows SHIFT UP to directly publish UNBOUND’s future titles, a key step in building its own global publishing and service capabilities. The union brings together two distinct creative forces: the South Korean developer behind hits like Goddess of Victory: NIKKE and the Japanese studio led by the visionary behind Resident Evil and Devil May Cry.

SHIFT UP CEO Hyung-Tae Kim expressed strong enthusiasm for the partnership. He stated that joining forces with a world-class team led by Mikami is deeply meaningful and will serve as an opportunity to deliver the best gaming experiences worldwide, further solidifying SHIFT UP’s competitive edge in global development.

For his part, Shinji Mikami highlighted the creative synergy at the heart of the deal. He noted his pleasure in partnering with Kim and the SHIFT UP team, sensing a strong alignment with Kim, who remains an active, hands-on creator. Mikami believes this is an ideal partnership that allows a focus on creativity, with both companies working as one to meet fan expectations through fun games.

In a detailed announcement video, the culture and vision of UNBOUND were further illuminated. Mikami described a studio built to minimize constraints and corporate pressure, fostering an environment where talented creators can design the best games possible. Team members echoed this sentiment, describing a free, egalitarian, and collaborative atmosphere where ideas flow easily and are pursued if they are interesting.

Mikami humorously noted that his role as a somewhat “foolish” leader who keeps up with the latest games helps create a space where people feel comfortable speaking openly. He expressed genuine excitement about working with a younger generation of developers to create new and exciting titles.

The core strength of the partnership, according to Mikami, lies in the shared wavelength and direction with Hyung-Tae Kim. Both are creators deeply involved on the ground level of development. This alignment has given Mikami a renewed clarity of vision, leading him to commit to working together for the long term. He confirmed he will be fully involved on-site in the development of a fairly large game, promising that UNBOUND aims to create a masterpiece.

Hyung-Tae Kim concluded by reaffirming his eagerness to fully support the creation of a title that showcases UNBOUND’s unique charm, looking forward to seeing it come to life. Mikami asked fans waiting for the studio’s output for a little more patience, expressing confidence in the results of this new collaborative chapter.