Highlights
- SNK is investing in VS Studio SNK, a new Tokyo-based game studio led by former Tekken producer, Katsuhiro Harada.
- Harada said his future projects will continue focusing on competitive player-versus-player gameplay.
- The partnership brings Tekken’s longtime creative lead to the company behind The King of Fighters, Fatal Fury, and Samurai Shodown.
SNK has announced a new partnership with longtime Tekken producer, Katsuhiro Harada, confirming plans to invest in his newly established development company, VS Studio SNK. The Japanese publisher said the Tokyo-based studio will work with SNK on game development to strengthen its production capabilities.
According to SNK’s May 13, 2026, announcement, the company plans to support the launch of VS Studio SNK and eventually make it a consolidated subsidiary. The studio was established on May 1, 2026, with Harada serving as representative director and CEO.
Its business operations will focus on developing, planning, and operating video game software.
After 31 Years at Bandai Namco, Harada Joins SNK
Harada spent more than three decades at Bandai Namco and became one of the most recognizable figures in fighting games through his work on Tekken. Over a 31-year career, he contributed to console, arcade, and virtual reality (VR) projects while also helping expand international fighting game tournaments and fan events.
In a statement released alongside the announcement, Harada said VS Studio’s philosophy is “Beyond tradition, crafted to perfection.” He added that the company aims to combine “technology, sensibility, and world-class expertise” while building an open development environment capable of producing new gaming experiences.
Harada also explained that the “VS” name carries multiple meanings connected to fighting games and innovation, referencing terms such as “Visionary Standard,” “Volition Shift,” and “Vanguard Spirit.”
The studio is currently recruiting staff as it begins operations in Tokyo.
SNK Expands Fighting Game Development Efforts
Vice-President (VP) of SNK Studios, Yasuyuki Oda, described Harada as “a long-time friend and a worthy rival,” adding that discussions about working together had continued for years. Oda said no specific projects have been finalized yet, but stated that he believes the partnership will become “even more exciting than ever before.”
Speaking separately to 4Gamer, Harada mentioned that his future projects would continue focusing on action-oriented and competitive player-versus-player gameplay. He also indicated that VS Studio SNK could expand its development operations in the future, though no specific plans have been announced.
The move brings one of Tekken’s most influential developers to a publisher known for franchises such as The King of Fighters, Fatal Fury, and Samurai Shodown.
What Could be the Reason for Harada's Move?
Harada did not just make Tekken, he helped lay the groundwork for today's esports culture, supporting fighting game tournaments and fan events worldwide since the 1990s.
His departure from Bandai Namco in late 2025 after more than 31 years had already sent shockwaves through the community. His choice to land at SNK rather than a major publisher is probably why this signals something far more deliberate than a typical career move.
At VS Studio, he has described wanting a free, open environment that generates new ideas, which is probably why this move is as much about creative freedom as it is about competitive fighting game development.
