Former Tekken Lead Katsuhiro Harada Launches New Independent Venture Called VS Studio
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
Former Tekken director Katsuhiro Harada has founded a new independent development company called VS Studio in partnership with SNK Corporation, drawing on his 31 years of industry experience.
Katsuhiro Harada is stepping into a brand new chapter after more than three decades at Bandai Namco. The veteran director behind the iconic Tekken franchise has officially established his own independent game development company, named VS Studio. According to the team's early messaging, the studio is aiming to push past traditional boundaries while maintaining a sharp focus on precision and craftsmanship.
Harada is not going it alone in this new venture. VS Studio has teamed up with SNK Corporation, the legendary publisher and developer behind arcade staples like The King of Fighters, Fatal Fury, and Samurai Shodown. Bringing together Harada's deep fighting game pedigree and SNK's rich history in the genre creates an immediate sense of anticipation for competitive gaming communities and longtime fans alike.
This move marks a major shift for one of the most recognizable faces in the fighting game scene. As fighting games continue to thrive through robust esports ecosystems, active streaming communities, and cross-play infrastructure, an experienced creator having the freedom to build something new outside of a massive corporate publisher is a massive win for the genre. Original reporting comes from IGN South Africa, available.
Tags: Katsuhiro Harada, Tekken, SNK, VS Studio, Fighting Games
Original article: IGN South Africa