Tekken veteran Katsuhiro Harada establishes VS Studio as SNK subsidiary
Harada launches VS Studio with a philosophy of perfection, while investors scrutinise the Saudi-backed Electronic Gaming Development Company's role in the industry.
Katsuhiro Harada, the long-serving director behind the Tekken franchise, has officially launched his own production studio, VS Studio. Operating as a subsidiary of SNK Corporation, the new entity is based in Tokyo and is currently in its infancy. Harada, who departed Bandai Namco in December following a thirty-year tenure, now leads the team with full creative control.
The studio has opened applications for interested developers to join its ranks. Harada outlined his vision through a short video and press release, stating that the new unit aims to create games with a philosophy of being "beyond tradition, crafted to perfection." He emphasises a desire to combine technology, sensibility, and world-class expertise to generate new ideas within a free and open environment.
The acronym VS reportedly stands for Visionary Standard, Volition Shift, and Vanguard Spirit. While specific project details remain undecided, longtime SNK developer Yasuyuki Oda confirmed the collaboration. Oda noted that the partnership has long been a hypothetical dream that has now become a reality, expressing confidence that the collaboration will prove more exciting than anticipated.
SNK is historically recognised for its fighting game franchises, including Fatal Fury, Samurai Shodown, and The King of Fighters. In contrast, Bandai Namco holds the rights to Tekken and Soulcalibur, making the two companies direct rivals in the genre. Harada's move to SNK marks a significant shift in the landscape of Japanese fighting game development.
Financially, SNK is owned by the Electronic Gaming Development Company, a non-profit entity established in 2022. This parent company received investment from Saudi Arabia's crown prince, Mohammad bin Salman. The crown prince's Private Investment Fund holds stakes in numerous global studios, including Nintendo, EA, and Take-Two, and previously acquired a five percent stake in Capcom.
The involvement of the crown prince's investment arm, Savvy Games Group, has drawn significant scrutiny from the industry. Savvy Games Group was implicated in the collapse of the Embracer Group in 2023, an event that triggered widespread studio closures and layoffs across the sector. Additionally, concerns regarding human rights records associated with the Saudi investment continue to be a subject of global concern among players and developers.
As Harada begins work at VS Studio, the focus remains on the studio's early-stage development and future output. While the creative ambitions are clear, the financial and reputational context of the parent company adds a layer of complexity to the new venture.
