SHIFT UP has officially announced the acquisition of Japanese game developer UNBOUND Inc. The South Korean video game developer and publisher, known for games like Destiny Child, Goddess of Victory: Nikke, and Stellar Blade, has secured full ownership of the studio as part of its push into the global PC and console market.
The deal brings Shinji Mikami, one of the most influential names in gaming, on board, known for iconic franchises like Resident Evil, Devil May Cry, The Evil Within, and Okami.
UNBOUND is a relatively new studio, but it has already attracted attention thanks to its team of veteran developers and its focus on building original IPs for a global audience. The studio is currently working on new PC and console projects, which will now fall under SHIFT UP’s portfolio.
With this move, SHIFT UP is strengthening its development and publishing capabilities. The company confirmed that it plans to publish UNBOUND’s upcoming titles directly, signaling a shift toward building its own global publishing infrastructure.
SHIFT UP CEO Hyung-Tae Kim stated, “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.”
Sharing that he was “pleased to be partnering with SHIFT UP”, Shinji Mikami, CEO of UNBOUND, continued, “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.”
To accompany the announcement, SHIFT UP has also released a branding video showcasing both leaders’ vision for the partnership.
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