SNK establishes VS Studio led by Katsuhiro Harada

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SNK is launching a new game development studio called VS Studio. It will be led by Katsuhiro Harada, best known for his work on the Tekken series.

Katsuhiro Harada departed Bandai Namco at the close of 2025 after dedicating over 31 years to the company. He held various leadership roles, including executive game director, chief producer, marketing director, and general manager. He’s most celebrated for his work on the Tekken series, which he’s been involved with since 1994.

VS Studio, based in Tokyo, will team up with SNK to create video games and boost both companies’ development skills.

SNK’s Yasuyuki Oda announced they are thrilled to welcome Katsuhiro Harada, a respected colleague and competitor, to their team. They’ve talked for a long time about the possibility of collaborating, and now it’s finally happening. While specific plans are still being developed, Oda believes this partnership will lead to amazing things. SNK thanks fans for their ongoing support of both SNK and VS Studio.

Here is a comment from Harada on the studio’s establishment:

We’re excited to introduce VS Studio, our new game development studio! Our guiding principle is to move beyond the usual and create games with exceptional quality.

We will combine technology, sensibility, and world-class expertise to pursue the ultimate.

From a free, open, and spacious environment, we will generate new ideas and create memorable games.

We established this studio to bring this vision to life.

The “VS” in VS Studio has a rich meaning. It originally stood for “Video game Soft (VS Development Division),” reflecting the company’s beginnings. But it also embodies a drive for innovation and challenge, representing ideas like “Versus” – pushing against the status quo – as well as concepts like “Visionary Standard,” “Volition Shift,” and “Vanguard Spirit.”

After working in game development for a long time, I’ve often thought about what makes a great development experience and how to create the best environment for developers. For me, VS Studio is a key part of that answer.

We’re a team that combines cutting-edge technology with creative expertise to create amazing gaming experiences for players around the globe. VS Studio is always seeking ambitious challenges, and we’re currently looking for talented people who are excited about our goals and want to join us.

Please look forward to the future of VS Studio.

Watch the announcement video below. Visit the official website here.

A Message from Katsuhiro Harada

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2026-05-13 06:13