Shift Up CEO Hyung-tae Kim just threw down the gauntlet. Speaking at South Korea’s 2026 Economic Growth Strategy summit before the president, Kim declared AI adoption non-negotiable for Korean studios facing Chinese juggernauts. ‘We as a company are always ready to take a stand,’ he stated, positioning Shift Up at gaming’s technological forefront.
The Presidential Stage Declaration
January 9 summit drew Kim alongside government leaders. Stark numbers framed urgency: Shift Up deploys 150 developers per title versus China’s 1,000-2,000 person teams. ‘80% overseas sales meet Chinese competition immediately,’ Kim explained. Solution: generative AI and LLMs enabling ‘one person to perform work of 100.’
Audience included President Lee Jae Myung. Kim urged government-backed AI platforms over direct tech giant competition, citing EA/Activision precedents. Stellar Blade’s 3M+ sales prove small-team viability – AI scales that formula globally.
China Scale vs Korean Agility
| Metric | Shift Up (Korea) | China Studios |
|---|---|---|
| Team Size | 150 devs/game | 1,000-2,000 devs/game |
| Revenue Model | Premium + gacha | F2P gacha dominance |
| AI Adoption | Embracing now | Advanced integration |
Nikke generated $1B+ mobile. Stellar Blade sold 3M across PS5/PC. Chinese titles flood markets with volume Korean studios can’t match manually.
No Layoffs, Higher Value
Kim rejects job loss fears: ‘Global competition demands every worker.’ AI amplifies Korean talent rather than replacing it. Timing perfect post-$4K employee bonuses (AirPods Max, Apple Watch, cash). Contrast: Ubisoft’s 55 Swedish layoffs same week.
- 2025: PS5 Pro + Switch 2 gifts all staff
- 2026: $3,400 cash + Apple gear
- Blanket donations to local families
- Workforce expansion to 420
- Stellar Blade 2 + Project Witches
Industry Context Brutal
January 2026 layoff apocalypse:
– Ubisoft Massive/Stockholm: 55 cuts
– Unity: Xbox legend Major Nelson
– Meta: Deadpool studio closure
– Inverse: Gaming section eliminated
Shift Up bucks trend through Nikke cashcow and Blade success. AI stance positions studio as Korean pioneer versus Western hesitation.
Community Reactions Polarized
r/Games thread (12K upvotes) splits:
– ‘Shift Up living the dream while West panics’
– ‘AI lies promising no layoffs’
– ‘Korea adopts what EA already does quietly’
– ‘Nikke money = fearlessness’
Strategic Implications Massive
Presidential attendance signals national priority. Tencent’s 35% stake ensures China insights. Public listing success ($2.3B valuation) funds AI infrastructure. Stellar Blade 2 development accelerates under new paradigm.
FAQs
What did CEO actually say?
‘One person can perform work of 100’ via AI. Korea needs it to match China’s scale. No layoffs expected.
Why presidential summit?
2026 Economic Growth Strategy. Kim addressed national gaming competitiveness before Lee Jae Myung.
Employee bonuses continue?
$4K packages (Apple Watch, AirPods Max, cash) all 300 staff. Follows PS5 Pro gifts 2025.
AI replaces artists?
Kim: amplifies productivity. Global competition requires maximum workforce utilization.
China really 10x team sizes?
Yes. 1,000-2,000 devs vs Shift Up’s 150. Volume overwhelms quality in F2P markets.
Stellar Blade 2 uses AI?
Expected. Success without it proves viability. Scale needed for global domination.
Conclusion
Shift Up draws battle line. CEO’s presidential-stage AI declaration rejects Western caution for Korean competitive reality. China scale demands technological response. Bonuses flow, staff expands, Blade 2 accelerates – Shift Up bets national future on augmentation over automation. Gaming’s AI arms race begins.