Tekken Legend Katsuhiro Harada Establishes New Studio Under SNK

A major development that will shake the foundations of the fighting game world has taken place. Katsuhiro Harada, the long-time face and executive producer of the Tekken series, has officially announced the establishment of a new game development studio called VS Studio SNK, which will operate under SNK. This announcement, made on May 12, 2026, has created great excitement among both Bandai Namco and SNK fans.

The newly formed VS Studio SNK will focus on developing new game software and projects in strategic collaboration with the parent company SNK. Katsuhiro Harada is embarking on this new adventure after more than 30 years under the Bandai Namco umbrella. It is a matter of great curiosity how Harada's vast experience, especially in 3D fighting mechanics, will create synergy with SNK's deep-rooted 2D fighting game legacy.

SNK has made a major comeback in recent years with projects like The King of Fighters XV and Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, which is expected to be released in 2025. The company's inclusion of Harada, one of the most influential names in the fighting game genre, could shift the balance in the industry. Throughout his career, Harada has become not only a producer but also one of the most beloved figures in the fighting game community (FGC) due to the sincere bond he has built with the community.

This partnership signifies the formation of a "dream team" for fighting game enthusiasts. It is not yet clear whether VS Studio SNK will work only on existing SNK series or create an entirely new fighting game brand. However, Harada's vision