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Resident Evil Creator’s New Studio Partners with Stellar Blade Developer

**Shinji Mikami’s Unbound Joined by Shift Up: A New Chapter for Game Development**

Shinji Mikami, celebrated for his significant influence in defining the survival horror genre through works like *Resident Evil* and *The Evil Within*, has made a notable advancement in his career with the takeover of his studio, Unbound, by Shift Up, the developers behind *Stellar Blade*. This collaboration signifies Mikami’s initial entry into game development following his departure from Tango Gameworks in 2023, with a vision to create a new path in the gaming sector.

In a press announcement, Mikami shared his excitement about partnering with Shift Up CEO Hyung-Tae Kim and the creative team. “I perceive a strong synergy with CEO Kim, who is also a hands-on creator, and I believe this partnership is perfect for allowing us to prioritize creativity,” he remarked. His dedication to crafting thrilling games that satisfy fans’ desires hints at a bright future for both studios as they combine their efforts.

Unbound, located in Tokyo, currently consists of approximately 50 developers focused on developing original intellectual properties (IPs) for both PC and console platforms. The team aims to engage a worldwide audience, aspiring to push the limits of creativity and innovation in game design. Alongside the announcement was a video teaser that suggested the distinct atmosphere and gameplay experience of Unbound’s forthcoming project, increasing excitement among fans and industry watchers.

Mikami’s career has been characterized by a multitude of influential titles. His final endeavor with Capcom was the 2006 beat ’em up *God Hand*. After leaving the publisher, he worked with Platinum Games on *Vanquish* before establishing Tango Gameworks under Bethesda, where he earned acclaim for the survival horror franchise *The Evil Within*. He also significantly contributed to the launch of original games like *Ghostwire: Tokyo* and *Hi-Fi Rush*, demonstrating his capability to nurture new talent and inventive concepts.

Conversely, Shift Up has gained traction with several new initiatives, including a follow-up to the celebrated *Stellar Blade*. This title, a sci-fi action-adventure featuring challenging gameplay akin to the Souls series, has notably enhanced the company’s visibility. Kim expressed his admiration for Mikami’s creations, stating, “I grew up playing games made by Shinji Mikami. And to now be working together is profoundly meaningful.” He highlighted that the mission at Shift Up is to guarantee the quality of their games speaks for itself, nurturing a genuine connection with players without requiring excessive marketing.

As Unbound and Shift Up begin this joint venture, the fusion of Mikami’s imaginative storytelling and game design skills with Shift Up’s innovative methodology prepares the stage for revolutionary gaming experiences. Fans, both long-time and new, can anticipate what this collaboration will reveal, as it pledges to merge creativity with strategic gameplay in ways that resonate throughout the global gaming community.

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New Heroes of Might and Magic Strategy Game to Release This Month After Over a Decade hiatus

Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era will release in PC early access on April 30th, Hooded Horse and Ubisoft have announced. The new strategy RPG from developers Unfrozen is the first freshly baked HOMM game in over a decade, and will launch with a mixture of familiar and new modes, spanning singleplayer and multiplayer.

If you’re new to the series – there is the faint but horrifying possibility that you were not yet born, when the last one came out – it’s a turn-based affair with procedurally generated maps, where you alternate between tending to your towns and sending heroes, fantasy beasties and armies on quests.

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Miyamoto Declares That a Super Smash Bros. Film is Unlikely to Come Out Anytime Soon

**The Future of Nintendo in Film: Insights from Shigeru Miyamoto**

In a recent discussion with Polygon, Shigeru Miyamoto, the iconic creator of Mario, spoke about the thrilling possibilities linked to the recently debuted *Super Mario Galaxy Movie*. As enthusiasts appreciated the variety of cameos in the film, conjecture began to circulate regarding the likelihood of a broader Nintendo cinematic universe, similar to Marvel’s interconnected movies. However, Miyamoto clarified that while such concepts are captivating, they are not part of the current grand scheme.

The 2023 *Super Mario Bros. Movie* mainly concentrated on the essential aspects of the Mario universe, featuring characters well-known to long-time followers, particularly Mario’s persistent adversary, Donkey Kong. In contrast, the sequel extends beyond the conventional limits of the Mario realm, bringing in an array of new characters, such as Yoshi, Wart, and Rosalina. The film also showcases characters like Fox McCloud from *Star Fox* and the treasured Pikmin, whom Miyamoto himself holds in high regard.

This broadened character lineup has sparked enthusiastic discussions among fans about the prospect of a comprehensive Nintendo Cinematic Universe. Such hopes encouraged imaginations to envision a chaotic yet captivating film blending characters from various franchises, including Mario, Link, Zelda, Samus, and Kirby. Nevertheless, Miyamoto dampened these crossover fantasies, stating, “I don’t think you’ll have a situation where all Nintendo characters would be joining,” underscoring that each character inhabits its distinct world and story context.

On the topic of cameo appearances, Miyamoto revealed that numerous suggestions for character involvement were put forth by Illumination, the animation studio responsible for the Mario films. The creative group aimed to “add a little bit of spice, a little bit of secret cameos here and there,” ultimately revitalizing lesser-known characters, especially from older games like *Super Mario Bros. 2*. Miyamoto expressed his affection for these long-lost characters, emphasizing a touch of nostalgia in the film.

Looking ahead, while Miyamoto remains receptive to the notion of incorporating more characters in future films, he points out that there isn’t an extensive ten-year plan mapped out for the franchise. Instead, filmmakers aim to create enjoyable and engaging content within the limits of specific scenes, which accounts for the dynamic and brisk tempo of the films.

In summary, although the vision of a grand Nintendo crossover film remains unrealized for the time being, the inclusion of cameos in the *Super Mario Galaxy Movie* indicates a playful openness to experimentation within the vibrant worlds concocted by Miyamoto and his crew. As fans persist in celebrating Nintendo’s rich legacy, the potential for future films stays as exhilarating and unpredictable as the games themselves.

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“Riftborne: A Grand Strategy Game Focused on Extensive Galactic Strategy with No Visual Graphics”

Some people like to ease into the week, as though dipping toes into a frigid northern sea, and some people Monday Hard by wrapping their arms around an iceberg. Are you the latter kind of bather? Try this on for size, then: Riftborne is a real-time sci-fi grand strategy game that’s controlled using an old-fashioned, “terminal-style” interface.

Seize your silly computer mouse and feed it unto the dog. Where you’re going, there shall be no drag-selects, cursor animations, right-click menus, and all the rest of that piddly frippery you are accustomed to in these modern SO-CALLED “best strategy games“, with their cosseting, 32+ colour visuals that even your dog might be able to understand, assuming you didn’t just kill your dog by feeding her a piece of plastic.

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MindsEye CEO Claims New Mission Will Present Evidence of Sabotage Faced by Studio, Quotes Verified Before April Fools’ Day

Well, that’s certainly a bold strategy. Mark Gerhard, CEO of MindsEye developers Build a Rocket Boy, has said that the studio are indeed planning to add a new mission to the game which will “share some of the evidence of the sabotage”. That’d be the sabotage from a malevolent third party which the exec’s been alleging MindsEye faced around launch for a while now, with Gerhard also claiming that an investigation into it is currently in the hands of “authorities” in the UK and US.

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Arc Raiders Patch Enhances Custom Loadout Protection by Reducing Late Spawn Odds in Overcrowded Servers

Ho, wasteland packmules and sticky-fingered ornithologists! Embark have released a sizeable Arc Raiders update. Titled Flashpoint, it introduces a new shotgun, SMG and deployable together with a Close Scrutiny map condition, a fresh breed of Arc enemy, some cosmetic bundles, and a feeding boost for Scrappy the loot chicken, which will cause him to dig up a wider variety of more valuable items. As warned, they’ve also permitted all those awful Shredder things from Stella Montis to infest the other maps.

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