The former director of the popular Tekken fighting series, Katsuhiro Harada, has established his own game development studio, VS Studio. Harada oversaw the series since Tekken 3 in 1997, having worked on previous entries, until departing Bandai Namco near the end of 2025. VS Studio is being founded in conjunction with Japanese developer SNK Corporation, known for fighting titles like King of Fighters, and the recently revived Fatal Fury.
While the VS in the name might mean that Harada will continue doing what he is best known for, fighting games, the studio itself claims there are “various meanings” behind the name. For starters, the name reflects the roots in Video game Software, as well as the obvious Versus abbreviation, though here that could indicate the studio looks to take on challenges. According to Harada, other meanings are intended to symbolize innovation and competition. These include Visionary Standard, Volition Shift, and Vanguard Spirit.
Harada, who will lead the company as both director and CEO, stated:
We will combine technology, sensibility, and world-class expertise to pursue the ultimate. From a free, open, and spacious environment, we will generate new ideas and create memorable games. We established this studio to bring this vision to life.
Harada went on to add:
Having been involved in game development for many years, I’ve constantly considered how I want to spend my time as a developer and what kind of environment allows developers to perform at their best. VS Studio is one answer to that question.
By bringing together technology and knowledge, and working with passionate colleagues, we aim to deliver the best gaming experiences to users worldwide. VS Studio aspires to be a studio that continues to take on such challenges, and we are looking for new team members who share our vision. Please look forward to the future of VS Studio.
Harada announced his departure from Bandai Namco in December 2025, having spoken publicly about his difficult relationship with the Tekken IP holder. Tekken 8 has had a rocky relationship between fans and the development staff, with Harada himself having to step in through social media to address concerns. VS Studio is headquartered in Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo. While we have gotten no indicator of what their debut game will be, it feels like there are signs.
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