Japanese game developer SNK has officially announced the formation of a brand-new development studio, VS Studio, with legendary fighting game producer Katsuhiro Harada serving as its Representative Director and CEO. The announcement marks a major new chapter for both SNK and Harada following his departure from Bandai Namco Entertainment at the end of 2025 after more than three decades with the company.

The new studio, officially named VS Studio SNK Co., Ltd., was established on May 1, 2026, and will operate as an SNK subsidiary focused on video game software planning, development, and operations. Headquartered in Shinagawa, Tokyo, the studio is expected to collaborate closely with SNK to strengthen the company’s overall game development capabilities.

Katsuhiro Harada Begins a New Era After Tekken

Katsuhiro Harada is best known worldwide for his decades-long involvement with the iconic Tekken franchise. Since joining Namco in the 1990s, Harada became one of the most recognizable figures in the fighting game industry, helping shape not only the Tekken series itself, but also the broader competitive fighting game landscape.

Over his 31-year career, Harada worked on arcade games, console titles, and virtual reality projects while also becoming heavily involved in esports and community events around the world. His influence helped establish modern fighting game tournament culture, which continues to thrive across titles on platforms such as PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.

According to SNK, Harada’s new studio will focus on delivering innovative gaming experiences while fostering a more open and creative development environment for creators.

VS Studio’s Philosophy: “Beyond Tradition, Crafted to Perfection”

In the official announcement, Harada shared the philosophy behind the new studio, describing VS Studio as a place where technology, creativity, and global expertise can come together to create memorable games.

The studio’s slogan, “Beyond tradition, crafted to perfection,” reflects its goal of pushing beyond conventional game development standards. Harada also explained that the “VS” name carries multiple meanings, including “Versus,” symbolizing the challenge of tradition and innovation, alongside phrases such as “Visionary Standard,” “Volition Shift,” and “Vanguard Spirit.”

Harada stated that the creation of VS Studio represents his personal vision for what an ideal game development environment should look like after decades in the industry. He emphasized collaboration, freedom, and passion as key pillars of the studio’s identity.

SNK and Harada Partnership Could Shape Future Fighting Games

The partnership between SNK and Harada is particularly significant given both parties’ deep roots in the fighting game genre. SNK remains one of the most influential fighting game companies in gaming history thanks to franchises such as The King of Fighters, Fatal Fury, and Samurai Shodown.

SNK producer Yasuyuki Oda described Harada as both a longtime friend and rival, noting that discussions about collaborating together had existed for years before finally becoming reality.

While no projects have been officially announced yet, the formation of VS Studio being led by Katsuhiro Harada has already sparked major speculation within the fighting game community. Many fans are eager to see whether the collaboration could eventually lead to new fighting game IPs or future entries connected to SNK’s existing franchises.

A Major Industry Development for 2026

The creation of VS Studio stands out as one of the gaming industry’s most notable leadership shifts of 2026 so far. Harada’s departure from Bandai Namco Entertainment alone marked the end of an era for the Tekken franchise, and his immediate partnership with SNK signals potentially ambitious plans ahead.

As development studios continue expanding across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC platforms, veteran creators like Harada remain central figures in shaping the future of competitive and action-focused gaming experiences.

SNK has confirmed that additional updates regarding VS Studio and its future projects will be shared at a later date.