South Korean developer SHIFT UP has confirmed the acquisition of UNBOUND, the newly formed studio led by industry veteran Shinji Mikami. The move signals continued expansion for SHIFT UP as the company looks to strengthen its global development structure and grow its presence across multiple platforms.
Shinji Mikami is widely recognized for his role in shaping modern action and survival horror titles. Over the course of his career, he helped create major franchises, including Resident Evil, Devil May Cry, and The Evil Within. His involvement in UNBOUND has already drawn attention within the industry, particularly as the studio is believed to be working on an original AAA project targeting PC and console platforms.
SHIFT UP CEO Hyung-Tae Kim commented on the acquisition and the collaboration with Mikami:
“I find it deeply meaningful to join forces with UNBOUND, which brings together a world-class development team led by CEO Shinji Mikami. This acquisition will serve as an opportunity to deliver the best gaming experience to users worldwide and further solidify SHIFT UP’s global development competitiveness. I grew up playing games from Shinji Mikami, and to be here now working together is incredibly meaningful.”
Shinji Mikami also shared his perspective on the partnership:
“I am very pleased to be partnering with SHIFT UP CEO Hyung-Tae Kim and all the employees. I sense strong synergy with CEO Kim, who is also an active creator, and I believe this is an ideal partnership that allows us to focus on creativity. We will do our best to create fun games so that both companies, working as one, can meet our fans’ expectations. We believe we can respect each other as creators and make games together, and I think with Hyung Tae, we can even enjoy the hard parts. Seeing my own vision and ideals come into focus like this, and finding someone whose direction aligns so closely, is something I’ve rarely experienced before in my career. I hope we keep building together for a long time.”
Earlier job listings suggested that UNBOUND is developing a new AAA fantasy title, possibly powered by Unreal Engine technology. While gameplay details remain unconfirmed, Mikami’s background in action-focused titles suggests the project may lean toward fast-paced mechanics, though the studio has yet to reveal concrete information about genre direction or release timing.
The acquisition also aligns with SHIFT UP’s evolving publishing strategy. The company previously confirmed that Stellar Blade 2 will release on multiple platforms, moving away from the PlayStation exclusivity seen with Stellar Blade. Expanding its internal development capabilities may allow SHIFT UP to build a broader portfolio of titles targeting PC and console audiences worldwide.
With UNBOUND now part of its development structure, SHIFT UP appears focused on strengthening its long-term position as a multiplatform publisher. Further updates on UNBOUND’s upcoming project are expected once development progresses and official details are shared.
