ShiftUp CEO Hyung-tae Kim has been awarded the Presidential Commendation at the Korean Content Awards for his contributions to South Korea's video game industry. The honor recognizes the impact of titles like Stellar Blade and Goddess of Victory: Nikke. Kim dedicated the award to his team and fans in his acceptance speech.
Award Recognition
At the 2025 Korean Content Awards, ShiftUp CEO Hyung-tae Kim received the Presidential Commendation, one of South Korea's most prestigious honors. This award acknowledges distinguished service in advancing national interests, with Kim's recognition tied to his leadership in elevating the domestic gaming sector.
Key Contributions
ShiftUp's success stems from two major releases. Stellar Blade, a PS5 console exclusive action game, achieved strong sales upon launch and continued to perform well with its PC port, setting records for similar titles. The game is slated for a Switch 2 release, currently in development, and a sequel is targeted for 2026 based on investor updates.
Goddess of Victory: Nikke, a mobile gacha shooter, marked a milestone by surpassing $1 billion in revenue during its Valentine's event earlier this year. The title has incorporated crossovers with properties like Stellar Blade, Nier: Automata, and Neon Genesis Evangelion, broadening its appeal.
CEO's Response
In his acceptance remarks, Kim stated: "This Presidential Citation is thanks to the developers and fans who believed in and supported Shift Up. We will continue to do our best to further promote the competitiveness of Korean games on the global stage."
The commendation highlights ShiftUp's role in a broader surge of South Korean game development, positioning the company for ongoing global influence.
