New Horror Game Teased as Stellar Blade Developer Acquires Resident Evil Creator’s Studio

Shinji Mikami, the mastermind behind Resident Evil and The Evil Within, has launched a new studio called Unbound Inc., which has now teamed up with Shift Up, the developer known for Stellar Blade and Goddess of Victory: Nikke. Their collaboration was revealed in a recent video that teases Mikami’s upcoming project.

As the founder and CEO of Unbound, Mikami shared that he is “actively creating and producing a new game title” and is deeply involved in the development of what he describes as a “large game.” He hinted, “I think you can expect a lot from us soon.”

The video announcement suggests that Mikami is venturing into the horror genre once again. It features a tour of Unbound’s Tokyo office, showcasing snippets from the development team, all while eerie creatures lurk in the background—think winged demons, imps, and even a “biblically accurate angel.” A team dinner scene adds to the unsettling atmosphere, featuring a grotesque anglerfish as the main course.

Mikami’s legacy includes directing the original Resident Evil and Resident Evil 4, as well as producing titles like Devil May Cry and Dino Crisis during his time at Capcom in the ’90s and ’00s. After leaving Capcom in 2006, he co-founded PlatinumGames, where he directed Vanquish. In 2010, he established Tango Gameworks, leading projects such as The Evil Within, Hi-Fi Rush, and Ghostwire: Tokyo.

Unbound was founded in May 2023, following Mikami’s departure from Tango Gameworks. The studio aims to expand to around 100 members and focus on developing a new original IP for a global audience. Shift Up has officially acquired Unbound, completing the purchase of all shares as of April 1.

Currently, Unbound is working on a “high-end” original IP project utilizing Unreal Engine 5, targeting PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox platforms.