Former Tekken 8 Director Kohei Ikeda Reunites With Katsuhiro Harada at VS Studio
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
Former Tekken 8 director Kohei Ikeda has joined VS Studio, reuniting with veteran producer Katsuhiro Harada at the newly formed, SNK-backed developer.
The lineup at VS Studio just added some serious fighting game royalty. Kohei Ikeda, who served as game director on both Tekken 7 and Tekken 8, has officially announced that he is joining the Tokyo-based developer. This move marks a major reunion, pairing Ikeda back up with Katsuhiro Harada, the legendary producer who founded the SNK-owned studio earlier this year following his own departure from Bandai Namco.
Ikeda confirmed the news on social media, expressing excitement about stepping into this new chapter alongside familiar faces. His exit from Bandai Namco back in June capped off a twenty-year run at the company, leaving behind a massive legacy in modern fighting game design. Harada and Ikeda even managed a memorable parting touch on Tekken 8, working together to bring a viral kangaroo-punching internet meme into the game as a playful nod to the community.
While we are still a long way off from seeing an actual game announcement or gameplay trailer from the new studio, the talent pool alone makes VS Studio a developer to watch closely. Bringing decades of institutional knowledge from the Tekken franchise into a fresh studio setting gives the team an immediate edge, and the community will certainly be watching to see what this veteran powerhouse cooks up next. IGN South Africa originally reported this story.
Tags: Tekken 8, Fighting Games, Industry News, VS Studio
Original article: IGN South Africa