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Tekken Veteran Katsuhiro Harada Launches New Studio VS Studio with SNK

GamingBusiness5/12/2026
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Katsuhiro Harada, a key figure behind the 'Tekken' franchise, has launched a new game development studio, VS Studio, in partnership with SNK. The studio, established on May 1 in Tokyo, aims to combine technology and expertise to deliver new gaming experiences. SNK will support the studio's development and plans to make it a consolidated subsidiary.

Facts First

  • Katsuhiro Harada has launched a new game studio, VS Studio, in partnership with SNK.
  • VS Studio was officially established on May 1 and is headquartered in Tokyo.
  • SNK will support the studio's game development and plans to make it a consolidated subsidiary.
  • The studio's philosophy is 'beyond tradition, crafted to perfection', aiming to combine technology and world-class expertise.
  • SNK director Yasuyuki Oda welcomed Harada, calling him a long-time friend and worthy rival.

What Happened

Katsuhiro Harada, known for his long tenure on Bandai Namco's 'Tekken' franchise, has officially launched a new game development studio named VS Studio in partnership with SNK. The studio was established on May 1 and is headquartered in Tokyo. SNK has decided to invest in VS Studio to bring it under the company umbrella as a consolidated subsidiary.

Why this Matters to You

If you are a fan of fighting games like 'Tekken' or SNK's titles, this partnership could lead to new, high-quality games in the future. The studio's stated goal is to combine technology, sensibility, and expertise to pursue the ultimate gaming experience, which may result in innovative titles you could enjoy. The studio is also actively looking for new team members, which could signal upcoming projects and job opportunities in the game development industry.

What's Next

VS Studio will begin game development with SNK's support. While SNK director Yasuyuki Oda stated that nothing specific has been decided yet regarding projects, he expressed confidence that things will become exciting. The studio's success will likely depend on its ability to attract new talent and execute on its philosophy of challenging tradition to craft new experiences.

Perspectives

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Katsuhiro Harada asserts that VS Studio is designed to be a perfect, open environment that combines technology and expertise to allow developers to perform at their best and create memorable games.
“
SNK Developers view the partnership as an exciting development, welcoming Harada as a 'long-time friend and a worthy rival' who will make the future of the company more thrilling.
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Industry Observers characterize the move as a 'wild crossover' and a surprising shift that would have been unthinkable a decade ago, noting it is 'nice to see' Harada pursuing new challenges.
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Ethical Critics raise concerns regarding SNK's ownership by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia due to the nation's human rights record.