Katsuhiro Harada, the veteran director best known for his work on the Tekken series, has announced the formation of a new development studio called VS Studio based in Tokyo.
Harada will assume the roles of CEO and Game Director at the studio.
The move follows his departure from Bandai Namco, which he announced in December 2023 after more than three decades working on the Tekken franchise.
In an official statement and accompanying video message, Harada outlined VS Studio’s guiding principles.
He described the studio’s philosophy as a commitment to surpassing tradition through meticulous craft: combining technology, artistic sensibility, and deep industry expertise in an open, collaborative environment to generate new ideas and deliver memorable games.
Harada emphasized that the studio is being built to foster the conditions under which developers can perform at their best and to pursue ambitious, world-class projects.
Harada also explained the meaning behind the studio name.
The initials “VS” invoke multiple concepts tied to the studio’s identity: a nod to "Video game Soft" as a development division, the competitive spirit implied by "Versus," and aspirational phrases such as "Visionary Standard," "Volition Shift," and "Vanguard Spirit." He said VS Studio aims to bring together technology and passionate colleagues to create games that resonate with players worldwide, and that the studio will be recruiting new team members who share that vision.
VS Studio will operate under the broader SNK corporate umbrella.
SNK is a long-established Japanese developer and publisher known for fighting-game franchises such as Fatal Fury and The King of Fighters, and the company has released titles across platforms including the Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo eShop.
Harada’s arrival marks a notable leadership addition for SNK as the company continues to develop fighting-game content and support competitive scenes around its franchises.
Harada’s move from Bandai Namco — where he served as a public face and director for Tekken — to lead a new studio is among the most significant personnel developments in the fighting-game community this year.
For now, Harada has asked fans and prospective collaborators to look forward to VS Studio’s future announcements as the team grows and begins production on its first projects.
Harada will assume the roles of CEO and Game Director at the studio.
The move follows his departure from Bandai Namco, which he announced in December 2023 after more than three decades working on the Tekken franchise.
In an official statement and accompanying video message, Harada outlined VS Studio’s guiding principles.
He described the studio’s philosophy as a commitment to surpassing tradition through meticulous craft: combining technology, artistic sensibility, and deep industry expertise in an open, collaborative environment to generate new ideas and deliver memorable games.
Harada emphasized that the studio is being built to foster the conditions under which developers can perform at their best and to pursue ambitious, world-class projects.
Harada also explained the meaning behind the studio name.
The initials “VS” invoke multiple concepts tied to the studio’s identity: a nod to "Video game Soft" as a development division, the competitive spirit implied by "Versus," and aspirational phrases such as "Visionary Standard," "Volition Shift," and "Vanguard Spirit." He said VS Studio aims to bring together technology and passionate colleagues to create games that resonate with players worldwide, and that the studio will be recruiting new team members who share that vision.
VS Studio will operate under the broader SNK corporate umbrella.
SNK is a long-established Japanese developer and publisher known for fighting-game franchises such as Fatal Fury and The King of Fighters, and the company has released titles across platforms including the Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo eShop.
Harada’s arrival marks a notable leadership addition for SNK as the company continues to develop fighting-game content and support competitive scenes around its franchises.
Harada’s move from Bandai Namco — where he served as a public face and director for Tekken — to lead a new studio is among the most significant personnel developments in the fighting-game community this year.
For now, Harada has asked fans and prospective collaborators to look forward to VS Studio’s future announcements as the team grows and begins production on its first projects.
