Weibo names Shift Up CEO Kim Hyung-tae among 2026's most influential game creators
Kim Hyung-tae was the only Korean game company CEO on Weibo's five-person list, joined by Feng Ji, Liang Qiwei, Naoki Hamaguchi and Takuo Mizobe.
Weibo has named Shift Up CEO Kim Hyung-tae one of five winners in its 2026 Most Influential Game Creators category, according to ZDNet Korea. The winners were announced as a group and were not ranked against each other.
The other four selected creators were Game Science CEO Feng Ji, S-GAME CEO Liang Qiwei, Final Fantasy VII Remake director Naoki Hamaguchi and Pocketpair CEO Takuo Mizobe. Kim was the only Korean game company CEO on the published list.
Weibo said the winners connected users across regions and languages through their works and narratives.
Kim said he was honored to be recognized alongside developers he respects, adding that his team will keep focusing on making good games.
From mobile to console
Kim, a former game illustrator, founded Shift Up in 2013. The company released Destiny Child, Goddess of Victory: Nikke and Stellar Blade, expanding from mobile to console and PC, and offered crossover content between Nikke and Stellar Blade last year.
Stellar Blade launched on PlayStation 5 and later on PC. A Complete Edition for Nintendo Switch 2 is set for release on November 6.
Quick answers
Who won Weibo's 2026 Most Influential Game Creators award?
Shift Up CEO Kim Hyung-tae, Game Science CEO Feng Ji, S-GAME CEO Liang Qiwei, director Naoki Hamaguchi and Pocketpair CEO Takuo Mizobe.
When is Stellar Blade Complete Edition coming to Nintendo Switch 2?
November 6, 2026.