Former Tekken Producer Katsuhiro Harada Forms VS Studio With SNK

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In a surprising move, Katsuhiro Harada, formerly of Bandai Namco, has launched a new studio called VS Studio with funding from SNK. Harada, best known as the producer who guided the Tekken series for many years, recently explained that the studio’s name, “VS,” has multiple layers of meaning.

Our studio’s name reflects our beginnings as a video game development team and embodies core values like innovative vision, adaptable change, and pioneering spirit. VS isn’t just a name; it defines our identity. We aim to move beyond the ordinary and create things with exceptional quality.

SNK provides ongoing support for VS Studio, but Harada emphasizes its independence, allowing the team to concentrate on innovation. He views it as a key part of how he wants to dedicate his time and energy as a game developer going forward.

Yasuyuki Oda of SNK, a producer on Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, recently announced that Katsuhiro Harada, a longtime friend and competitor, is joining their team. They’ve often talked about the possibility of collaborating, and now it’s finally happening. While they haven’t announced any specific plans yet, Oda believes this partnership will lead to exciting new developments. SNK and VS Studio thank fans for their continued support.

Currently, VS Studio is looking for people to join their team, describing them as those who understand their goals, but they haven’t revealed what project they’re working on. Given the studio’s name and the lead developer’s background, it’s likely to be a fighting game. Plus, the opportunity to connect with and include characters from SNK’s popular fighting game series – like Fatal Fury, Samurai Shodown, and The King of Fighters – is a very attractive possibility.

Since its release, Tekken 8 has faced criticism from fans regarding gameplay balance and in-game purchases, leading to a decline in popularity. This seems to be benefiting SNK, a competitor in the fighting game genre. Only time will tell how this plays out, so we’ll keep you updated.

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2026-05-12 18:42