Shift Up Acquires Shinji Mikami's Unbound Studio

South Korean video game developer Shift Up announced on Wednesday that it has acquired Unbound, the Tokyo-based studio founded by industry veteran Shinji Mikami, known for creating the Resident Evil series. The deal positions Shift Up as the publisher and development partner for Unbound's upcoming titles, combining the studio's creative talent with Shift Up's global resources.

Under the agreement, Shift Up has taken full ownership of Unbound's shares. The studio, established in 2023 after Mikami left Tango Gameworks, employs around 50 people focused on original intellectual property for consoles and personal computers. Unbound's projects include a mix of experimental games and a flagship AAA title, developed using Unreal Engine 5 for platforms such as PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Shift Up, best recognized for its action titles Stellar Blade and Goddess of Victory: Nikke, plans to provide publishing support and development assistance while allowing Unbound to maintain operations in Tokyo.

The acquisition stems from a shared emphasis on creative direction over commercial pressures, according to company statements. Mikami, whose career includes directing Resident Evil,...