SNK has confirmed the formation of a new internal studio, VS Studio, led by longtime Tekken producer Katsuhiro Harada.
The studio will be based in Shinagawa, Tokyo, with Harada serving as CEO.
SNK, founded in 1978 and best known for fighting franchises such as The King of Fighters and Samurai Shodown, released a press statement outlining the new leadership and creative direction.
Background and context
Katsuhiro Harada is widely known for his decades-long role leading the Tekken series at Bandai Namco.
His move to SNK and the establishment of VS Studio marks a notable shift within the fighting-game development community.
SNK producer and executive Yasuyuki Oda formally welcomed Harada to the company, framing the collaboration as the culmination of a long-standing professional relationship between the two developers.
What SNK and Harada said
In the company announcement, SNK’s Yasuyuki Oda expressed pride at Harada’s arrival and noted that discussions about collaborating had taken place for many years; Oda described the arrangement as a realized long-term aspiration.
Harada explained that the "VS" name carries multiple meanings, including a reference to "Video game Soft (VS Development Division)" and the competitive spirit of "Versus," emphasizing an intention to pursue creative and technical excellence.
Harada also outlined his studio’s working philosophy, stating that VS Studio will blend technology, artistic sensibility, and industry experience to create memorable games from a free and open development environment.
He emphasized a commitment to world-class craftsmanship and idea generation within that framework.
What we know now
- Studio name: VS Studio
- Location: Shinagawa, Tokyo
- CEO: Katsuhiro Harada (formerly of Bandai Namco, Tekken series)
- SNK representative: Yasuyuki Oda
- No release or project announcements have been made by SNK or VS Studio to date
SNK’s catalog has a history of multi-platform releases, and its fighting franchises have appeared on consoles and digital storefronts including the Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo eShop.
While VS Studio has not announced a first title or target platforms, the studio’s leadership and SNK’s roster suggest a continued focus on fighting-game development and high-quality production.
This development is significant for fans and industry observers: Harada’s move to SNK pairs one of the most recognizable fighting-game producers with a company that has a long pedigree in the genre.
Expect official updates from SNK for concrete project details and release plans.
The studio will be based in Shinagawa, Tokyo, with Harada serving as CEO.
SNK, founded in 1978 and best known for fighting franchises such as The King of Fighters and Samurai Shodown, released a press statement outlining the new leadership and creative direction.
Background and context
Katsuhiro Harada is widely known for his decades-long role leading the Tekken series at Bandai Namco.
His move to SNK and the establishment of VS Studio marks a notable shift within the fighting-game development community.
SNK producer and executive Yasuyuki Oda formally welcomed Harada to the company, framing the collaboration as the culmination of a long-standing professional relationship between the two developers.
What SNK and Harada said
In the company announcement, SNK’s Yasuyuki Oda expressed pride at Harada’s arrival and noted that discussions about collaborating had taken place for many years; Oda described the arrangement as a realized long-term aspiration.
Harada explained that the "VS" name carries multiple meanings, including a reference to "Video game Soft (VS Development Division)" and the competitive spirit of "Versus," emphasizing an intention to pursue creative and technical excellence.
Harada also outlined his studio’s working philosophy, stating that VS Studio will blend technology, artistic sensibility, and industry experience to create memorable games from a free and open development environment.
He emphasized a commitment to world-class craftsmanship and idea generation within that framework.
What we know now
- Studio name: VS Studio
- Location: Shinagawa, Tokyo
- CEO: Katsuhiro Harada (formerly of Bandai Namco, Tekken series)
- SNK representative: Yasuyuki Oda
- No release or project announcements have been made by SNK or VS Studio to date
SNK’s catalog has a history of multi-platform releases, and its fighting franchises have appeared on consoles and digital storefronts including the Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo eShop.
While VS Studio has not announced a first title or target platforms, the studio’s leadership and SNK’s roster suggest a continued focus on fighting-game development and high-quality production.
This development is significant for fans and industry observers: Harada’s move to SNK pairs one of the most recognizable fighting-game producers with a company that has a long pedigree in the genre.
Expect official updates from SNK for concrete project details and release plans.
