SNK CEO Kenji Matsubara Transitions to Advisory Role Amid Leadership Shift

Kenji Matsubara, a prominent figure in the gaming industry and former president of Sega, will be stepping down from his position as CEO of SNK to transition into an advisory role, SNK Corporation announced this week.

Founded in 1978 as Shin Nihon Kikaku, SNK has established its reputation through influential arcade series such as King of Fighters, Fatal Fury, Samurai Shodown, and its iconic Neo Geo hardware.

Matsubara has been at the helm of SNK since 2021, a period marked by significant expansion and innovation for the Japanese developer and publisher. The leadership change comes just two years after SNK was acquired by the Saudi Arabian MiSK Foundation in 2022, signaling a new chapter in the company’s global ambitions.

In an official statement, SNK highlighted the impact of Matsubara's tenure: "Under Mr.

Matsubara’s direction, the company experienced transformative growth, notably expanding its development teams and strengthening sales and marketing departments.

This evolution bolstered SNK’s capabilities as a global publisher with a competitive presence worldwide." With Matsubara moving to an advisory capacity, SNK’s Board of Directors is preparing to appoint its Chairman as interim CEO until a permanent successor is named.

The company reassured stakeholders and fans that Matsubara will continue to lend his expertise and long-term vision, thus ensuring continuity for ongoing projects and future developments. Before joining SNK, Kenji Matsubara served in several leadership roles across the Japanese gaming industry.

Notably, he held executive positions at Sega, including as president, until his resignation in 2020 for personal reasons.

His impressive resume also includes roles as CEO for both Temco Koei and Zynga, where he steered companies through key phases of strategic development and market expansion. SNK expressed profound gratitude for Matsubara's commitment during a pivotal era: “The board expresses its deepest appreciation to Mr.

Matsubara for his dedication and leadership through a time of remarkable transformation for SNK Corporation.

The company remains committed to its strategic vision and is enthusiastic about the next phase of growth and leadership.” The transition in leadership coincides with the recent release of "Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves," the company’s latest title to earn positive critical attention, though it has sparked discussion for its unconventional inclusion of celebrity characters.

SNK’s rich legacy, spanning classic arcade hits and a robust portfolio on platforms like the Nintendo Switch and the Neo Geo, continues to influence the broader Japanese gaming industry. As SNK embarks on this new chapter, the company’s leadership and stakeholders remain focused on innovation, global outreach, and leveraging Matsubara’s strategic counsel in an evolving marketplace.

SNK Kenji Matsubara MiSK Foundation Neo Geo King of Fighters Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves Sega Temco Koei Zynga