Harada Launches VS Studio Under SNK After Bandai Namco Exit

Katsuhiro Harada, the longtime producer and director of Bandai Namco's Tekken fighting game series, has launched a new studio under SNK in Tokyo following his departure from the company after more than three decades.

Harada announced the formation of VS Studio on Tuesday, with the studio based in Shinagawa, Tokyo, where he serves as chief executive officer. In a video message, he explained that the "VS" name carries multiple meanings, including "Versus," "Visual Studio," "Video game Soft VS Development Division," and a "spirit of challenging tradition." He described the studio's philosophy as "beyond tradition, crafted to perfection," emphasizing the combination of technology, sensibility, and expertise to create memorable games in a free and open environment.

Harada's career at Bandai Namco began in 1994 as a voice actor for the first two Tekken games. He directed Tekken 3 and Tekken Tag Tournament in the late 1990s and later served as producer and supervisor on various projects. He left the company last December, prompting speculation about his next move. Reflecting on the decision, Harada said he considered how to best use his remaining time as a developer and sought an...