Katsuhiro Harada, the creator of the Tekken series, has ended his 31-year tenure at Bandai Namco. The veteran developer is joining SNK, owner of The King of Fighters and Fatal Fury, and announces the creation of VS Studio SNK in Tokyo, where he will serve as representative, director, and CEO. A move that reshapes the fighting game landscape. 🎮
A studio focused on the graphics engine and technical precision 🔧
VS Studio SNK is born with the intention of developing fighting titles with a technical focus. Harada, known for his obsession with player feedback and frame mechanics, will apply his experience in optimizing graphics engines. The Tokyo headquarters suggests direct access to local talent and close collaboration with SNK teams to polish control response and online stability, two areas where the genre often falters.
Harada moves house but doesn't change neighborhood 🏢
After three decades throwing uppercuts in Tekken, Harada changes rings and moves to SNK, where he has probably already memorized Kyo and Terry's combos. Good old Katsuhiro leaves the Iron Dragon to embrace the lion's roar, though he has surely already hung a poster of Kazuya and a sign in his new office that reads: Don't ask about the jump in Fatal Fury.