Former Tekken Director Katsuhiro Harada Teases Next Project at VS Studio
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
Former Tekken director Katsuhiro Harada has teased his next project at VS Studio, assuring fans that the upcoming game will be a surprise that still aligns with player expectations.
Katsuhiro Harada is finally offering a glimpse into what his newly formed independent team, VS Studio, is cooking up. Following his departure from Bandai Namco earlier this year, the veteran developer has been quietly building out his new studio under the SNK umbrella, even bringing several key former Tekken developers along for the ride. Speaking with VideoGamesChronicle, Harada noted that while the upcoming title will be a surprise, it will not stray outside of what his community expects from him. Given his decades-long legacy, that phrasing points heavily toward a brand new fighting game experience.
SNK chief publishing officer Ozan Kocoglu added that the studio is open to both developing original intellectual properties and breathing new life into existing SNK franchises. Kocoglu described a period of aggressive growth for SNK, noting that the company wants fresh perspectives and actionable new pillars to enrich its overall portfolio. Harada emphasized that VS Studio enjoys a high level of creative freedom while remaining closely tied to player expectations and what the team does best.
Meanwhile, Harada has been keeping tabs on his former franchise from the outside, sharing that he spent considerable time mentoring the remaining Tekken staff before his exit. Tekken 8 is continuing its momentum with major roster additions, including the upcoming arrival of Baki character Yujiro Hanma in early 2027. As the fighting game landscape shifts, players can expect both Harada's new venture and established franchises to keep pushing the genre forward.
Tags: Fighting Games, Katsuhiro Harada, SNK, Tekken, Industry News
Original article: IGN South Africa