Shift Up, the company behind Stellar Blade, has purchased the new studio founded by Shinji Mikami

Unbound, a new studio founded by veteran Shinji Mikami, has been acquired by South Korean game developer Shift Up. This move is aimed at enhancing Shift Up's reach within global PC and console markets through the upcoming projects of Unbound.

In an video announcement, Mikami revealed that Unbound is at work on a "large-scale game," striving to create a valuable addition to the industry.

Mikami remarked, "I've achieved clarity in my creative vision and ideals, aligning perfectly with the studio's direction. I'm excited to be fully engaged in developing this substantial game project. I ask gamers to stay patient for its eventual release."

Following this acquisition, Shift Up will publish Unbound's projects and aid the studio in enhancing its "global service capabilities."

Hyung-Tae Kim, Shift Up CEO, expressed, "Aligning with Unbound and its top-tier development team led by Shinji Mikami holds great significance. This union is pivotal in delivering top-notch gaming experiences globally and in reinforcing our competitive edge in global development."

Mikami added, "Collaborating with Hyung-Tae Kim and the team is a great pleasure. The synergy with Kim, who is also a creative force, makes this partnership ideal for focusing on innovation. We are committed to crafting enjoyable games, meeting the expectations of fans from both companies."

Speculation had surrounded Mikami's establishment of a new studio last month, though Unbound's site has been available for a while. Unbound was created in 2022 and began its activities in 2023.

In 2024, after leaving Tango Gameworks in February 2023, Mikami also founded another studio, Kamuy.