Home / Arts and Entertainment / Tekken Director Jumps Ship to SNK Rival
Tekken Director Jumps Ship to SNK Rival
13 May
Summary
- Katsuhiro Harada left Bandai Namco after 30 years to lead VS Studio.
- VS Studio is a subsidiary of SNK Corporation, Bandai's competitor.
- Harada aims to make great games with trusted colleagues at SNK.
Katsuhiro Harada, the iconic director behind the Tekken series, has launched a new venture, VS Studio, after departing Bandai Namco following a 30-year tenure. This Tokyo-based team is a subsidiary of SNK Corporation, a notable rival to Bandai Namco in the competitive fighting game market.
Harada expressed his intention to focus on creating high-quality games with a trusted team, emphasizing that VS Studio is still in its early stages and seeking new talent. The studio's philosophy is described as "beyond tradition, crafted to perfection," with "VS" symbolizing concepts like Visionary Standard and Vanguard Spirit.
This move reunites Harada with longtime SNK developer Yasuyuki Oda. SNK, known for franchises like Fatal Fury and The King of Fighters, is financially supported by the Saudi-backed Electronic Gaming Development Company (EGDC), which acquired SNK in 2022. This investment aligns with Saudi Arabia's growing influence in the global gaming industry through its Public Investment Fund.
