Shinji Mikami’s Unbound Games Sets Sights on AAA Original IP

Gaming industry veteran Shinji Mikami, best known for creating the Resident Evil series, is leading his fresh studio, Unbound Games, in the development of a new AAA original intellectual property (IP) for consoles and PC.

The Founding of Unbound Games

Mikami founded Unbound Games in May 2023 after departing from Tango Gameworks, the studio behind titles like The Evil Within, Ghostwire: Tokyo, and Hi-Fi Rush [VGC]. He currently serves as the Representative Director of the fully independent company [Playfront].

A Growing Team and Ambitious Goals

Unbound Games currently employs around 50 people and plans to expand to approximately 150 [VGC]. The studio is focused on creating high-end consumer games and original AAA titles.

Development Details

The studio’s debut project is an original IP powered by Unreal Engine 5, targeting PlayStation 5, Xbox consoles, and PC [VGC]. The team includes developers with experience on notable franchises such as Silent Hill, Resident Evil, Shadow of the Colossus, and Hi-Fi Rush [VGC].

“AAA Quality at AA Scale”

Masato Kimura, a longtime collaborator of Mikami’s and producer of Ghostwire: Tokyo and Hi-Fi Rush, described the studio’s approach as aiming for “AAA quality at AA scale” [VGC]. This strategy acknowledges the significant resources required for Western AAA game development and seeks to deliver a rich, immersive experience with a more focused scope [Playfront].

Looking Ahead

Unbound Games is poised to become a significant player in the gaming industry, leveraging the expertise of its team and a strategic approach to AAA game development. While details about the debut title remain scarce, the studio’s ambition and commitment to quality suggest a promising future [VGChartz].