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Tekken Legend Katsuhiro Harada Launches VS Studio with SNK, Forms Star Team in Tokyo
May 13, 2026Katsuhiro Harada, longtime Tekken series producer, has left Bandai Namco after 31 years to co-found ‘SNK VS Studio’ in Tokyo with SNK, where he’ll serve as CEO and pursue new action and competitive gaming projects alongside fellow fighting game visionaries.
Katsuhiro Harada, who played a pivotal role in defining the Tekken franchise and fighting game genre for over three decades, has marked a significant industry shift by joining forces with SNK to establish SNK VS Studio in Shinagawa, Tokyo. Harada’s move, confirmed in an official statement on 12 May 2026, ends his storied tenure at Bandai Namco and signals a new chapter for both his career and the broader competitive games sector. As CEO of VS Studio, Harada is set to lead original projects that build on his renowned expertise in action and player-versus-player design, fields for which he’s globally respected.
VS Studio: Philosophy, Team, and Ambitions
Harada described the mission of VS Studio with clarity: “VS Studio’s philosophy is ‘Beyond tradition, crafted to perfection’. 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.” The ‘VS’ in the studio name stands for multiple concepts, including “Video game Soft (VS Development Division)” and “the spirit of ‘Versus’ challenging tradition”, as he explained.
He further elaborated on the studio’s ethos: “Having been involved in game development for many years, I’ve constantly considered how I want to spend my time as a developer and what kind of environment allows developers to perform at their best. VS Studio is one answer to that question. By bringing together technology and knowledge, and working with passionate colleagues, we aim to deliver the best gaming experiences to users worldwide. VS Studio aspires to be a studio that continues to take on such challenges, and we are looking for new team members who share our vision. Please look forward to the future of VS Studio.”
Harada is currently recruiting a core team for VS Studio, and he’s already secured the talents of Yuichi Yonemori, a veteran director of Tekken Tag Tournament 1 and 2, as chief creative officer. According to SNK designer Yasuyuki Oda, “I am extremely proud to welcome Mr. Katsuhiro Harada, who has been a long-time friend and a worthy rival to us, into our group. We’ve long discussed the hypothetical scenario of working together, and now that dream has become a reality. To be honest, nothing has been decided yet, but I have no doubt that things will become even more exciting than ever before. We look forward to your continued support for SNK and VS Studio.”
What’s Next for Harada and SNK VS Studio?
While early details about VS Studio’s debut projects remain limited, Harada has given strong indications about the direction of future titles. In an interview with 4Gamer, he said, “The games I make in the future won’t deviate from the action and competitive player-versus-player elements I’m known for.” Asked about the possibility of working directly on SNK’s iconic series such as The King of Fighters, Fatal Fury, or Samurai Shodown, he responded: “Speaking personally, there are certainly things I’d like to do. However, since it belongs to SNK, I can’t really say anything too freely.
This isn’t about hiding anything; it simply means that nothing has been decided yet. In the 1990s, I could have easily dabbled in it, but nowadays, development can easily take 4–5 years. So, it’s not something I can easily say.”
Harada’s partnership with Saudi-owned SNK is notable in the context of recent leadership changes at SNK. The firm, known for its storied fighting game franchises, has faced challenges including the commercial underperformance of Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves in 2025 and a CEO departure shortly thereafter. Harada’s appointment and the launch of VS Studio represent SNK’s renewed push to revitalise its presence in the fighting game market.
Harada also cited personal and professional reflection as key motivators for the move, stating, “The retirement and ‘loss’ of friends and colleagues had made me reflect on ‘time I have left as a creator’.”
Summary Facts:
- Katsuhiro Harada departed Bandai Namco after 31+ years to form SNK VS Studio in Tokyo.
- VS Studio is a partnership between Harada and SNK, with Harada as CEO.
- Yuichi Yonemori (Tekken director) has joined as CCO.
- SNK VS Studio’s guiding ethos: “Beyond tradition, crafted to perfection”.
- “VS” refers to Video game Soft (VS Development Division) and the spirit of ‘Versus’.
- Future games will focus on action, competitive, and player-versus-player genres.
- Harada has not confirmed direct involvement with SNK franchises but hasn’t ruled it out.
SNK VS Studio is actively recruiting, signalling ambitions to expand and reimagine the boundaries of the fighting game landscape. With decades of experience and a team drawn from the front ranks of Japanese game development, Harada’s new venture is a critical development in the evolution of competitive gaming worldwide.
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