Stellar Blade Creator Shift Up Acquires Shinji Mikami's Studio Unbound

AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·

Stellar Blade Creator Shift Up Acquires Shinji Mikami's Studio Unbound

Stellar Blade developer Shift Up has acquired Shinji Mikami's studio Unbound, uniting the Resident Evil creator with CEO Hyung Tae Kim to build an original PC and console IP.

Shift Up, the studio behind Stellar Blade, has officially acquired Unbound, the development team founded by Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami after he left Tango Gameworks in 2023. According to Eurogamer, the two companies decided to join forces after Mikami and Shift Up chief executive Hyung Tae Kim discovered a shared creative vision. In a joint video announcement featuring some classic creature cameos, the leadership duo confirmed they are teaming up to build a brand new original IP for PC and consoles.

For Shift Up, this acquisition is a major strategic expansion. By bringing Unbound into the fold, the studio secures top tier development talent and broadens its upcoming pipeline for high-end platforms. Shift Up also plans to handle publishing duties directly for Unbound's projects, a move that will help the company scale its global service capabilities and retain creative control over its expanding portfolio.

Both industry veterans expressed immense enthusiasm for the partnership. Mikami noted that working alongside another active creator like Kim creates a strong synergy that lets the team stay fully focused on pure creativity. As players on console and PC look ahead to what this powerhouse pairing can accomplish, the industry will be watching closely to see how Mikami's legendary knack for tension blends with Shift Up's striking action design.

Tags: Shift Up, Shinji Mikami, Unbound, Stellar Blade, Industry News

Original article: Eurogamer