Shinji Mikami Launches New Studio Unbound to Develop Original PC and Console Games

Shinji Mikami Launches New Studio Unbound to Develop Original PC and Console Games


**Shinji Mikami Launches New Studio Unbound to Create AAA Games**

In 2023, renowned Resident Evil director Shinji Mikami made a significant move in the gaming industry by founding a new studio called Unbound, following his departure from Tango Gameworks, the creators of The Evil Within. Established in May 2023, Unbound aims to develop “high-end,” original AAA games, with aspirations of producing AA games that embody the grandeur typically associated with blockbuster titles.

Joining Mikami at Unbound is Masato Kimura, a former producer at Tango who contributed to projects like Ghostwire: Tokyo and Hi-Fi Rush. The studio has started with a solid foundation of around 50 team members, many of whom bring experience from notable titles like Silent Hill and Shadow of the Colossus. This diverse expertise hints at the potential for Unbound to push boundaries in game design and storytelling.

Mikami’s decision to form Unbound closely followed the news of Tango Gameworks’ impending closure, as announced by Microsoft in early 2024 amid significant cutbacks. Although Tango was eventually acquired by Krafton, the situation prompted Mikami to reassess his role and future in the industry. He expressed his unexpected reaction to the studio’s fate, indicating that he believed the success of titles like Hi-Fi Rush would ensure its longevity. “I had thought the studio would be safe as long as they continued to make Hi-Fi Rush games,” he stated, revealing that this uncertainty was a key factor in his departure.

Unbound is characterized by its commitment to producing games with a focus on innovation and freestyle development. In a recent PR interview, Kimura discussed the studio’s strategy of aiming for “AA” label projects with ambitions to reach AAA quality, despite not having extensive financial backing or large-scale operations. He emphasized a production style driven by experimentation, where learning through trial and error is encouraged, setting a potentially dynamic and creative environment for developers.

As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, Mikami’s Unbound stands as a promising new venture, reflecting a vision rooted in a rich legacy of horror and action gaming, while poised to take risks that could lead to fresh and engaging experiences for players.