Kohei Ikeda's Departure Marks Another Shift for the Tekken Franchise
Kohei 'Nakatsu' Ikeda, the game director behind Tekken 7 and Tekken 8, has left Bandai Namco after an impressive 20-year tenure at the company. His exit comes just days after the departure of Katsuhiro Harada, the legendary creator of the Tekken series, who has since moved on to form his own video game company. This rapid succession of exits has raised questions about the future of the beloved fighting game franchise.
In a heartfelt farewell message shared on social media, Ikeda reflected on his time at Bandai Namco. “There were joyful moments, and many difficult ones as well,” he wrote. “There were times when we celebrated together, and times when I received passionate criticism and encouragement. Yet every one of those moments helped push both myself and the Tekken Project forward.” Ikeda did not provide details on his next steps, but the gaming community is largely speculating that he might be joining Harada at his new venture, VS Studio, which has already partnered with SNK Corporation.
The Uncertain Future of Tekken
With both Harada and Ikeda leaving Bandai Namco, fans are left wondering what the future holds for the Tekken franchise. Just last week, the company announced that Yujiro Hanma from the Baki manga and anime series would be joining Tekken 8 as a guest character through the Season 3 Pass, which is set to conclude in early 2027. However, the departure of two key figures has led to uncertainty about whether Tekken 9 will ever be developed.
Fans have had a tumultuous relationship with Bandai Namco in recent years, often criticizing the game's balance changes and other aspects of its development. Harada has been vocal about his challenges with both the Tekken franchise and Bandai Namco, frequently addressing fan concerns on social media. For instance, he publicly responded to controversies surrounding the sale of premium stage DLC.
The departure of Ikeda has sparked further concern among fans. “Makes me worried about the fate of Tekken 9,” one fan wrote in response to Ikeda’s announcement. Another suggested, “The franchise might have to take a bit of a break after this game.” Some fans even described Tekken 8 as “a nightmare for developers AND players.”
Bandai Namco has not yet provided any official statements regarding the future of the Tekken series beyond Tekken 8 Season 3. As the community waits for more news, the sudden exits of two of the franchise's most influential figures have left many wondering what the next chapter of Tekken will bring.
