After his shock retirement last year, legendary former Tekken boss has landed at one of Japan's biggest fighting game publishers

Katsuhiro Harada’s New Chapter: From Tekken to SNK’s VS Studio

Katsuhiro Harada has spent two decades as the definitive figurehead of the Tekken franchise, becoming synonymous with Bandai Namco’s long-running fighting series. His sudden "retirement" in December was a genuine shock to the wider gaming community, even those outside the fighting game niche. However, Harada has not departed the industry entirely. Less than six months after his departure, it has been announced that he has joined SNK, one of Japan’s most prominent fighting game publishers, in a new leadership role.

Harada is now the CEO of VS Studio SNK, a newly established studio under the storied company behind the Neo Geo hardware and legendary arcade titles. While SNK is globally recognized for the King of Fighters and Fatal Fury series, their catalog also includes the iconic Metal Slug franchise. The studio continues to develop games for both modern PC platforms and the arcade circuit, maintaining its legacy in traditional gaming spaces.

Decoding VS Studio SNK

The name of Harada’s new venture, VS Studio SNK, carries significant weight and potential. According to Harada, the "VS" prefix is deliberately multi-layered:

• Videogame Soft: A nod to the studio’s core function.
• Versus: A clear signal of its potential focus on competitive gaming.
• Visionary Standard: Symbolizing a new standard for innovation.
• Volition Shift: Representing a deliberate change in direction and purpose.
• Vanguard Spirit: Reflecting a pioneering attitude toward development.

Harada emphasized that the studio was born from a desire to find the ideal environment for creative excellence. "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 the best," Harada stated. "VS Studio is one answer to that question."

What’s Next for Harada and SNK?

The studio was officially established on May 1, and it is currently in the early stages of operation. SNK is actively recruiting team members who share their vision for delivering high-quality gaming experiences to users worldwide. As Harada noted, the goal is to bring together technology, knowledge, and passionate colleagues to tackle new challenges.

While the "VS" in the studio name strongly hints at a return to competitive combat games, it is not a certainty that Harada will develop a Tekken-style fighter. During his tenure at Bandai Namco, Harada oversaw a diverse range of projects beyond fighting games, including:

• Katamari Damacy Reroll
• Ace Combat: Assault Horizon
• Code Vein

This track record suggests that VS Studio SNK may explore genres beyond traditional fighting games, leveraging Harada’s broader experience in game development. For now, the industry waits to see if this "volition shift" will result in a new classic or a surprising pivot in Harada’s legendary career.