SHIFT UP, the acclaimed studio behind the action RPG Stellar Blade, has officially announced its acquisition of UNBOUND Inc., the latest venture from the legendary Resident Evil creator, Shinji Mikami. This strategic move is poised to fuel the development of significant new gaming experiences, with plans to create “large-scale flagship” titles.
The acquisition, which involved SHIFT UP’s publishing unit obtaining all shares of the Japanese game developer UNBOUND Inc., was confirmed by SHIFT UP CEO Hyung-Tae Kim. Shinji Mikami, a revered figure in the gaming industry, previously made headlines in 2024 for establishing KAMUY, signaling his intention to explore genres beyond survival horror. Before KAMUY, Mikami founded UNBOUND, a studio that describes itself as a “fully independent company” dedicated to crafting AAA titles and original intellectual properties for both console and PC platforms.
While the precise relationship between UNBOUND and KAMUY remains undefined, it is confirmed that UNBOUND, the studio currently spearheaded by Mikami, is the entity now under SHIFT UP’s ownership. Both leaders have voiced strong enthusiasm for this new alliance, emphasizing a shared vision for future game development.
Hyung-Tae Kim, SHIFT UP’s CEO, expressed the profound significance of collaborating with UNBOUND’s “world-class development team” led by Mikami. He believes this acquisition will not only “deliver the best gaming experience to users worldwide” but also “further solidify SHIFT UP’s global development competitiveness,” reinforcing the company’s position in the international gaming landscape.
Shinji Mikami reciprocated the positive sentiment, stating his pleasure in partnering with CEO Kim and all the employees at SHIFT UP. Mikami noted a “strong synergy” with Kim, who is also an active creator, viewing this as an “ideal partnership that allows us to focus on creativity.” He affirmed their collective commitment to creating engaging games that will meet and exceed fan expectations.
As this fresh partnership unfolds, no specific game titles or release dates have been revealed. However, aligning with Mikami’s recent inclinations, future projects emerging from this collaboration are likely to venture away from the survival horror genre, promising innovative experiences for players worldwide.