SHIFT UP has announced the full acquisition of UNBOUND Inc., a game development studio led by industry veteran Shinji Mikami. The deal sees the South Korean company take ownership of all shares in the Tokyo-based studio, bringing it fully into its development and publishing structure.
UNBOUND is a relatively new studio focused on PC and console projects, headed by Mikami, whose past work includes major franchises such as Resident Evil, Devil May Cry, The Evil Within, and Okami. The team is composed of experienced developers with backgrounds across both Japanese and international game production, and is currently working on original intellectual properties aimed at a global audience.
With this move, SHIFT UP is positioning itself to expand its footprint in the PC and console space. The company confirmed that it will not only support development but also take on publishing responsibilities for UNBOUND’s future titles, while gradually building its own global distribution capabilities. The acquisition also strengthens SHIFT UP’s internal pipeline by adding a high-profile creative team to its portfolio.
SHIFT UP CEO Hyung Tae Kim described the partnership as a meaningful step, noting that the addition of Mikami and his team is expected to enhance the company’s competitiveness on a global scale. Mikami also commented on the collaboration, expressing confidence in the creative alignment between the two companies and emphasizing a shared focus on delivering engaging experiences for players.
To mark the announcement, SHIFT UP has released a branding video outlining the partnership. The video highlights Mikami’s development philosophy alongside the company’s broader vision for collaboration, offering an early look at how the two entities plan to work together moving forward.
UNBOUND will continue its work on original projects under the SHIFT UP umbrella, as the publisher looks to strengthen its presence beyond mobile and establish a more prominent role in the global PC and console market.
