Tekken Director Katsuhiro Harada Leaves Bandai Namco to Start New Studio with SNK

Katsuhiro Harada is done at Bandai Namco. The man behind Tekken for decades has moved on. He's now building something new with SNK.

The new venture is called VS Studio SNK. It's a fresh studio created in partnership with the company behind Fatal Fury and King of Fighters. Harada isn't alone in this move. Other industry veterans have joined him.

What We Know About VS Studio SNK

Details are still thin. But the name tells us a lot. "VS Studio" screams fighting games. That's what Harada knows. That's what SNK knows. Put them together and you get serious potential.

In a lengthy interview, Harada shared his passion for this project. He's been working on it behind the scenes for a while. This wasn't a sudden decision. It was planned.

What This Means for Fighting Games

Harada shaped Tekken into one of the biggest fighting game franchises ever. He knows the competitive scene inside and out. SNK has deep roots in the FGC too. Their arcade legacy is legendary.

This partnership could shake things up. The fighting game community has been thriving lately. Street Fighter 6 is selling well. Tekken 8 had a strong launch. Now there's another major player entering the ring.

If you're a fighting game fan who likes to prove your skills, platforms like 1v1me let you put real stakes on the line against other players.

The Big Question

What will VS Studio SNK actually make? We don't know yet. But with Harada's track record and SNK's heritage, expectations are high. The FGC will be watching closely.