Breaking: Harada Leaves Tekken, Joins SNK to Found VSStudioSNK
Katsuhiro Harada, the legendary director and producer behind the Tekken franchise for over 26 years, has abruptly left Bandai Namco to establish a new development studio—as a wholly owned subsidiary of longtime rival SNK Corporation. The studio, named VSStudioSNK, was officially formed on May 1, with Harada serving as representative director and CEO.
This is not a simple job change. Harada is not just joining SNK—he is leading a new entity under its umbrella. SNK confirmed the move in a statement today, calling it "a bold new chapter in fighting game history."
“I have always believed that competition pushes the genre forward. By working with SNK—a company I once competed against—I can now explore ideas that were impossible before,” Harada said in a press release. “We are building something from the ground up, and I want to honor both traditions: my history with the Mishima family and SNK’s legacy of KoF.”
Background: A 26-Year Rivalry Turns Into Partnership
Harada joined Bandai Namco in the mid-1990s and became the face of Tekken, shaping it into one of the best-selling fighting franchises of all time. Under his leadership, Tekken 7 sold over 10 million copies and became a mainstay of the EVO Championship Series.
SNK, once on the brink of bankruptcy, experienced a renaissance starting in 2016 with the success of King of Fighters XIV, Samurai Shodown (2019), and King of Fighters XV. Its aggressive push into new IP and crossovers—such as SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos—made it a natural partner for a veteran like Harada.
“SNK has always been a symbol of creativity and risk-taking,” Harada added. “I remember playing Fatal Fury in arcades and thinking, ‘One day I want to make games that feel this good.’ Now I get to do it with the people who made those classics.”
What This Means: A New Era of Fighting Games?
The move immediately reshuffles the competitive landscape. Bandai Namco loses its most iconic designer, while SNK gains a developer with deep knowledge of 3D fighters—an area where SNK has traditionally struggled. Expect VSStudioSNK to produce original content and likely a new crossover IP.
Industry analyst David Jaffe (creator of God of War) commented: “Harada has the credibility to merge fanbases. Don’t be surprised if we see a King of Iron Fist Tournament video where Terry Bogard fights Jin Kazama. SNK just bought themselves a ticket to the next generation of fighters.”
Key implications include:
- Crossovers are now almost certain – SNK owns iconic characters like Kyo Kusanagi, Mai Shiranui, and Geese Howard. Harada can integrate them into a new game without leaving SNK’s corporate structure.
- 3D fighting revival for SNK – SNK has focused on 2D sprites and hand-drawn graphics. Harada’s expertise in Unreal Engine and 3D modeling could bring a Tekken-style depth to their next title.
- Bandai Namco’s loss is immediate – The next Tekken game—if it happens—will now be developed without Harada. This could delay the franchise or change its direction entirely.
Harada hinted at long-term plans: “We are not announcing a game today, but the history of fighting games shows that when great talent joins great IPs, magic happens. Stay tuned.”
The new studio is already hiring. SNK expects VSStudioSNK to grow to 50 employees within a year. For now, Harada remains silent on whether he will continue to contribute to Tekken as a consultant—but Bandai Namco has not issued a statement.