By Korean pathways
Kim Hyung-tae’s ascent to billionaire status is remarkable.
Starting his journey as a video game illustrator, Kim later founded Shift Up, the studio behind the acclaimed PS5 title Stellar Blade — and today, he’s accumulated a considerable fortune.
As reported by Forbes, Kim is now recognized as one of the 50 wealthiest individuals in Korea, with an estimated net worth of approximately $725 million.
Much of Shift Up’s financial triumph can be attributed to its mobile sensation, Goddess of Victory: Nikke — a game so well-received that it provided the company with the resources to venture into the more intense, single-player action genre with Stellar Blade.
Kim remains actively involved with his projects. In the case of Stellar Blade, he holds titles such as director, co-producer, and co-designer, even while serving as chairman of the company.
It will be fascinating to observe the next steps for Shift Up. The studio is clearly well-positioned, having experienced a record-breaking 2024 — but their future endeavors will largely depend on the creative choices they make. While it’s known that the developer is engaged in something at the moment, there has been no definitive word on whether it aligns more with Nikke or Stellar Blade.
Are you astonished to learn that the head of Shift Up has gained such immense wealth? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
[source forbes.com]
Robert (or Rob if you’re feeling informal) serves as an assistant editor at Push Square, having been a PlayStation enthusiast since the 90s, beginning with Tekken 2 which opened his eyes to the fascinating world of gaming. He continues to take fighting games seriously, but his heart truly lies with RPGs. The Witcher, Persona, Dragon Quest, Mass Effect, Final Fantasy, Trails, Tales — he has experienced them all. Perhaps a bit excessively, some may argue.