Microids has officially announced its collaboration with development studio Old Skull Games for the upcoming release of K-POP Rising - Dream to Shine. Scheduled to launch on 5 November 2026, the comprehensive music simulation and rhythm title will be available across Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam. To celebrate the product announcement, the French publisher has debuted an official gameplay trailer showcasing the title's core mechanics, which allow players to experience the demanding journey from standard dance studios to massive international stadiums.
The game follows the narrative of an aspiring musician who, accompanied by their closest friend Nova, must commit fully to the competitive race for global music stardom. Players are tasked with balancing intensive singing and choreography training sessions with the modern demands of community management and social media growth. The gameplay features an extensive character customization engine, giving players full control to design trendy stage outfits, establish iconic makeup styles, and curate a unique visual aesthetic to capture the attention of virtual fans.
Strategic choices extend to group management as well, allowing players to actively form a band, recruit distinct members, and turn a small local following into an international fandom of millions. The rhythmic gameplay mechanics test players' precision, timing, and dance coordination across a variety of original stages. Designed as a versatile experience, the game can be completed as a solo campaign or played cooperatively with up to three players. This multiplayer co-op feature lets friends unite their skills to lead a single band straight to the top of the global charts.
This new partnership marks an expansion into contemporary music culture for Microids, a publisher known for working alongside international studios to create immersive games built around popular cultural properties. With the global cultural phenomenon of K-Pop continuing to dominate physical music charts and fill major sports arenas worldwide, K-POP Rising - Dream to Shine aims to capture that distinct energy when the race to interactive stardom officially begins this winter.
