Tekken’s Harada Joins SNK, Launches Studio With No Games Yet

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Katsuhiro Harada, the long-time director of the Tekken series at Bandai Namco, has started a new game studio called VS Studio. Officially launching on May 1, 2026, the Tokyo-based studio will be part of SNK, which is investing in and working with VS Studio to create new games together.

Katsuhiro Harada spent over thirty years at Bandai Namco, starting in 1997 as a director and producer on the Tekken series. He eventually became a general manager while continuing to work on other games like Code Vein and Tales of Arise. He was also well-known for interacting with fans at events and on social media. Harada announced he was leaving in 2025 and officially departed the company at the end of that year.

Harada explained that the studio’s core belief is to create flawless work that goes beyond what’s been done before, blending cutting-edge technology with artistic sensitivity and top-tier skill. The “VS” in the studio’s name is meant to be multi-layered, referencing its origins as the “Video game Soft (VS Development Division),” the competitive nature of head-to-head games, and a commitment to innovation through concepts like “Visionary Standard,” “Volition Shift,” and “Vanguard Spirit.”

Harada created this new studio after carefully considering what developers need to thrive. He wants to combine great technology, expertise, and a team of passionate people to create amazing games for players around the world. They’re currently hiring people who believe in this vision. While they haven’t announced any specific games yet, they haven’t revealed what kind of games they’ll be making.

Yasuyuki Oda, the director and producer behind games like King of Fighters XV and Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, expressed his excitement about a new partnership. He warmly welcomed Katsuhiro Harada, a longtime friend and competitor, saying they’d often talked about collaborating, and now it’s finally happening. While specific plans are still in the early stages, Oda is confident that this collaboration will lead to some truly amazing results.

So, SNK recently dropped Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, made by their in-house KOF Studio. Things got a little interesting though, because since 2022, the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation – linked to the Saudi Arabian prime minister – has been the major owner. SNK says this hasn’t changed how they run things, but honestly, it feels like it has. We’ve seen some pretty unexpected additions to the game, like Cristiano Ronaldo and DJ Salvatore Ganacci as playable characters, and there’s been some heat about them using AI-generated stuff in the game’s marketing. It’s definitely been a talking point in the community!

Saudi Arabian government-linked investment funds have been buying shares in various gaming companies, like EA and Capcom, and even took ownership of the popular EVO fighting game tournament. Some observers believe this is part of a larger effort to improve the country’s image through entertainment, given its history of human rights concerns. VS Studio is entering this landscape as a part of SNK.

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2026-05-13 11:16