Hyung-Tae Kim
Reporting and statements that mention Hyung-Tae Kim.
Latest coverage
PlatinumGames Has a “Strong Desire” To Make a New Bayonetta Game, Says Studio Boss
PlatinumGames has expressed a strong desire to create a new entry in the Bayonetta series, according to studio boss Atsushi Inaba. While no projects are confirmed, the studio wants to further explore the character and her world. This comes as PlatinumGames is also working on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin and has seen former key developers like Hideki Kamiya depart to form new studios.
Stellar Blade is a success now but once came close to the brink: "We could only pay salaries for about three months"
Shift Up CEO Hyung-Tae Kim revealed that Stellar Blade faced significant financial difficulties during development, with the company once only able to pay salaries for three months. Investors were hesitant due to perceived risks, but the game ultimately became a success, selling millions on PlayStation 5 and PC. The company is now working on the sequel, Stellar Blade: Blood Rain.
Stellar Blade boss offers to help PlatinumGames make Bayonetta 4
Shift Up CEO Hyung-tae Kim has expressed a desire to collaborate with PlatinumGames on future projects, specifically offering to help design characters for Bayonetta 4. This comes after a successful collaboration on Bayonetta-themed skins for Stellar Blade's upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 release. Both Kim and PlatinumGames CEO Atsushi Inaba spoke positively about each other's work and expressed genuine interest in future partnerships.
Stellar Blade: Blood Rain – Release Date, Gameplay, And Everything We Know
Shift Up is developing Stellar Blade: Blood Rain, the sequel to their 2024 hit Stellar Blade. While a release date is not yet announced, the game is in early development and will feature a new protagonist, Evie, with a different combat style. The sequel is expected to explore new story elements and potentially launch on PC and PlayStation 5, with Shift Up self-publishing.
Stellar Blade boss completely misses the point of why people are upset with Blood Rain's AI slop video: 'The…
ShiftUp CEO Hyung Tae Kim addressed backlash over the AI-generated marketing video for Stellar Blade: Blood Rain, stating that the character Evie was created by artists and AI only rendered her. The article argues that the extensive use of AI in other aspects of the video, including the song, undermines the game's image and cheapens the overall presentation, despite the company's talented composers and artists.
If You Were Excited About Stellar Blade: Blood Rain, Here’s An AI-Slop Music Video To Fix That
Developer Shift Up has released an AI-generated music video for Stellar Blade: Blood Rain, featuring protagonist Evie. This marketing choice has drawn criticism, with CEO Hyung-tae Kim previously stating his belief in AI as an essential tool for global competition. The Stellar Blade franchise continues to face controversy, with discussions around character design and sexualization.
After saying the first game is better than Nier Automata, Yoko Taro reckons he's gotta buy Stellar Blade: Blood…
Following his praise for Stellar Blade, Yoko Taro has expressed his intent to purchase the newly announced sequel, Stellar Blade: Blood Rain. Shift Up director Hyung-Tae Kim acknowledged Taro's enthusiasm, continuing a friendly exchange between the two creators whose games have influenced each other.
A cultural relic of doomed humanity: Stellar Blade’s soundtrack to be committed to vinyl
Laced Records is releasing the Stellar Blade soundtrack on vinyl, with pre-orders open for a 44-track 4LP boxset and a 22-track double LP. Exclusive editions feature unique colored discs and sleeve art by SHIFT UP, including liner notes from Sound Director Jooeun Hwang. The soundtrack, which has been remastered for vinyl, features a mix of electronic, K-Pop, rock, metal, jazz, and acoustic styles.
Stellar Blade: BLOOD RAIN dev explains why protagonist looks so young
Stellar Blade: BLOOD RAIN introduces a new protagonist, Evie, designed to contrast with the original game's Eve. Director Hyung-tae Kim explains that Evie is younger and smaller but possesses a stronger personality and a brutal close-range fighting style. The game will explore themes of humanity and artificial intelligence within a cyberpunk setting inspired by East Asian cities.
"There is a limit to progress based on price": In today's AI hardware disaster, Stellar Blade Blood Rain devs prioritize "making the game playable" for as many people as possible
Shift Up CEO Hyung-Tae Kim emphasized the importance of making games playable on current-generation hardware, citing price limitations for PCs and consoles. The studio is prioritizing optimization for its upcoming action game, Stellar Blade: Blood Rain, rather than relying on future hardware advancements. This approach aims to ensure broader accessibility for players, similar to the successful PC port of the original Stellar Blade.
Stellar Blade boss admits he "struggled" with its boring main character, but going into Blood Rain "realized that players can fully immerse themselves even in a character with a strong, distinct personality"
Hyung-Tae Kim, head of Stellar Blade developer Shift Up, admits struggling with the main character Eve's personality in the first game and plans to give the protagonist in the upcoming Stellar Blade: Blood Rain a more defined character. He realized players can immerse themselves in characters with strong personalities, a lesson learned from player reactions to the first game.
Stellar Blade: Blood Rain's Evie is more than just "physical attractiveness," Shift Up insists, but devs are taking notes from infamously horny Goddess of Victory: Nikke regardless
Shift Up CEO Hyung-Tae Kim insists that the protagonist Evie in Stellar Blade: Blood Rain is designed to be more than just physically attractive, aiming for genuine player attachment. The studio is drawing lessons from the community engagement with Goddess of Victory: Nikke to enhance character investment in their new title.
Stellar Blade Dev Explains New Hero Design, Praises Sony's Publishing Support
Shift Up boss Hyung-Tae Kim discussed the design of Stellar Blade's new heroine, Evie, explaining her shorter and younger appearance was intentional to contrast with her aggressive combat style. Kim also praised Sony's publishing support but noted the benefits of self-publishing for reaching markets like PC, especially after the original Stellar Blade's success in China. The game has been in development for a year, and the team aims to replace generative AI found in launch assets before release.
Stellar Blade: Blood Rain's Reveal Is Allegedly Riddled with Generative AI
Allegations have surfaced that the reveal trailer and key art for the new game Blood Rain, a project from Stellar Blade developer Shift Up, heavily utilize generative AI. Players have pointed to inconsistencies in character models, nonsensical architecture, and non-existent characters in signage as evidence. While the game is in early development, the studio's director, Hyung Tae-Kim, has previously spoken positively about AI's potential to enhance productivity.
Stellar Blade 2 won't be revealed until it's good enough to be revealed, ShiftUp CEO says, which is probably…
ShiftUp CEO Hyung-Tae Kim stated that Stellar Blade 2 will not be revealed until it is in a satisfactory state of development. He acknowledged that the lack of updates might lead to speculation but assured that this is part of their planned approach. Kim also expressed a desire to improve upon the flaws of the original Stellar Blade in the sequel.
Mr. Resident Evil signs a deal with Mr. Stellar Blade
Shift Up, the company behind Stellar Blade and Goddess of Victory: Nikke, has acquired Shinji Mikami's new studio, Unbound Inc. Unbound's unannounced games will be supported and distributed by Shift Up, with Mikami expressing confidence in a creative partnership with CEO Hyung-Tae Kim. This acquisition follows the closure of Mikami's previous studio, Tango Gameworks, by Microsoft.
Stellar Blade developer SHIFT UP partners with Shinji Mikami’s new studio to release a new creative character action game
South Korean developer SHIFT UP, known for Stellar Blade, has partnered with Shinji Mikami's new studio, UNBOUND Inc., to publish new character action games. SHIFT UP founder Hyung Tae Kim expressed his admiration for Mikami's work and stated the partnership aims to support original IPs and foster creative exploration. While the new game is in early development, concept art has been revealed.
Resident Evil creator teases next game as he joins forces with Stellar Blade dev
Stellar Blade developer Shift Up has acquired Shinji Mikami's studio, Unbound Games, and will publish its future titles. Mikami, known for creating Resident Evil, stated he will be 'fully involved' in the studio's next AAA console game, with a brief tease of a monster in a ruined city shown.
Stellar Blade developer Shift Up acquires Shinji Mikami's new studio
South Korean developer Shift Up has acquired Unbound, a new studio founded by veteran creator Shinji Mikami. The acquisition aims to bolster Shift Up's global PC and console publishing capabilities, with Unbound working on a significant new game. Both companies expressed excitement about creative synergy and delivering high-quality gaming experiences worldwide.
Stellar Blade Dev Acquires Shinji Mikami's New Studio, Will Publish Its Games
Stellar Blade developer Shift Up has acquired Unbound, the new studio founded by horror game veteran Shinji Mikami. Shift Up will now publish games developed by Unbound, whose first project is a new IP built in Unreal Engine 5 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Both Shinji Mikami and Shift Up CEO Hyung Tae Kim expressed enthusiasm for their shared creative vision and commitment to high-quality game development.
