Katsuhiro Harada Forms a New Studio Called "VS Studio"!

[Scotty Scotty]

Fighting game fans are about to be eating REAL good lol.

 

[Another Iori]

SNK Corporation has established 'VS Studio', which will be led by Harada Katsuhiro ('Tekken 3' [1997] ~ 'Tekken 8' [2024])

YouTube video description

Press Release

2026｜PRESS RELEASE｜SNK Corporation

2026｜PRESS RELEASE｜The official SNK corporation website.

www.snk-corp.co.jp

Comment by Katsuhiro Harada

I am pleased to announce the launch of a new game development studio, VS Studio. VS Studio has a philosophy of "Beyond tradition, crafted to perfection".

We will bring together technology, sensibility, and world-class knowledge to pursue the limit.By fostering a free, open environment with room to breathe, we aim to generate new ideas and create experiences that leave a lasting impression.

I launched this studio to give shape to that feeling. And the "VS" in VS Studio has many meanings. It contains many meanings that symbolize innovation and challenge, such as our roots in "Video game Soft (VS Development Department)", the spirit of "Versus" that challenges tradition, and "Visionary Standard", "Volition Shift", and "Vanguard Spirit".

Over the years of game development, I have always thought about how to live my future as a developer and what kind of environment allows developers to perform at their best. VS Studio is one of the answers.

We bring together technology and knowledge, and together with passionate colleagues, we deliver the best gaming experience to users around the world. VS Studio wants to be a studio that continues to take on such challenges, and we are looking for talented individuals who share our aspirations.
Stay tuned for the future of VS Studio.

[Overview of the new studio]
Studio Name VS Studio SNK (Trademark pending)
Head Office Location Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 2-25-2 Shin-Meguro Tokyu Building 4th floor
Representative CEO Katsuhiro Harada
Business Description Planning, development, and operation of game software
Official website https://www.vs-studio.com/
Official SNS @VS_Studio_Inc

Announcement on SNK's official website

Announcement of New Studio Establishment
Katsuhiro Harada Appointed as Representative

SNK Corporation (Osaka Japan) is pleased to announce that it has decided to invest in a newly established game development studio founded by Mr. Katsuhiro Harada and welcome it into the group as a subsidiary.

Overview
VS Studio SNK Co., Ltd. (4th Floor, Shin-Meguro Tokyu Building, 2-25-2 Kamiosaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and CEO: Katsuhiro Harada) was established on May 1, 2026. In conjunction with this establishment, SNK Co., Ltd. will support the launch of the new studio and plans to make it a consolidated subsidiary. The new studio and SNK will collaborate on game software development to further strengthen their development capabilities.

Comment from Katsuhiro Harada

We are pleased to announce the launch of our new game development studio, “VS Studio.” VS Studio’s philosophy is “Beyond tradition, crafted to perfection.”

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.
The “VS” in VS Studio holds various meanings. It represents our roots in “Video game Soft (VS Development Division),” the spirit of “Versus” challenging tradition, and many other meanings symbolizing innovation and challenge, such as “Visionary Standard,” “Volition Shift,” and “Vanguard Spirit.”

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.

Video Message:

Comment from Yasuyuki Oda, SNK
I am extremely proud to welcome Mr. Katsuhiro Harada, who has been a long-time friend and a worthy rival to us, into our group. We’ve long discussed the hypothetical scenario of working together, and now that dream has become a reality. To be honest, nothing has been decided yet, but I have no doubt that things will become even more exciting than ever before. We look forward to your continued support for SNK and VS Studio.

Katsuhiro Harada’s Career
After graduating from Waseda University, he joined Namco (at the time).
For 31 years, he was involved in the development and production of numerous games, including arcade, home console, and VR titles.
Furthermore, he focused on global marketing and community activities beyond the scope of game development, supporting fighting game tournaments and fan events around the world for many years since the 1990s. He has contributed to the formation and development of the foundation of today’s e-sports culture.

Overview of the New Studio
Studio Name VS Studio SNK (trademark pending)
Headquarters 4th Floor, Shin-Meguro Tokyu Building, 2-25-2 Kami-Osaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo
Representative Representative Director and CEO Katsuhiro Harada
Business Activities Planning, development, and operation of video game software
Official Website http://vs-studio.com
Official Social Media Accounts (X): @VS_Studio_Inc

Investor Overview
Company Name SNK Corporation
Headquarters Address 3rd Floor, Shin-Osaka No. 2 NK Building, 4-5-41 Miyahara, Yodogawa-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
Business Activities Video Game Business, Licensing Business, e-Sports Business

Subsidiaries
United States: SNK PLAYMORE USA CORPORATION
Hong Kong: SNK ASIA CO., LIMITED
China: LeWan New Land (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd., and 5 other companies
South Korea: SNK INTERACTIVE CO., LTD.
Singapore: SNK GAMES SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.
Japan: SNK Entertainment Co., Ltd.

INFORMATION

©SNK CORPORATION ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

*All company and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

[MEDIA CONTACT] SNK CORPORATION info-usa@snk-corp.co.jp [...]

Announcement of New Studio Establishment Katsuhiro Harada Appointed as Representative｜PRESS RELEASE｜SNK Corporation

Announcement of New Studio Establishment Katsuhiro Harada Appointed as Representative｜PRESS RELEASE｜The official SNK corporation website.

www.snk-corp.co.jp

VS Studio official website:

https://www.vs-studio.com/index.html

Katsuhiro Harada's CV:

https://www.mobygames.com/person/274780/katsuhiro-harada/credits/

 

[Onicat]

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that no one tells the guys how to make their games or which characters to include

 

[Viviana Santos]

Awesome! I wish him all the best on his new game studio.

 

[BrawlMan]

I didn't expect him to go to SNK. So as long as he's happy, then I support him. I expected him to go to KT or Capcom.

 

[TruxtonTatsujin]

If I remember right the original reason he gave for leaving Namco was taking a break/retirement but now it's looking like the Tekken 8 situation was a bigger mess than we thought and he just wanted out of the studio. I agree with @BrawlMan I was kind of expecting him to join Tecmo and take over the Dead or Alive series but I guess the Saudi prince had other plans. Most likely this new studio will be working on 3D fighters while the main SNK branch continues to make 2D. As far as I know SNK doesn't have any 3D fighter IPs so I'm expecting Harada's new studio to develop a new one that is very Tekken inspired.

Maybe this'll save the Tekken scene lol, the team behind 8 has been VERY incompetent.

 

[Viviana Santos]

If I remember right the original reason he gave for leaving Namco was taking a break/retirement but now it's looking like the Tekken 8 situation was a bigger mess than we though and he just wanted out of the studio. I agree with @BrawlMan I was kind of expecting him to join Tecmo and take over the Dead or Alive series but I guess the Saudi prince had other plans. Most likely this new studio will be working on 3D fighters while the main SNK branch continues to make 2D. As far as I know SNK doesn't have any 3D fighter IPs so I'm expecting Harada's new studio to develop a new one that is very Tekken inspired.

Maybe this'll save the Tekken scene lol, the team behind 8 has been VERY incompetent.

Tekken 8 balancing team

 

[Anim8rDude Anim8rDude]

yeah spotted the video on my Youtube feed a couple of hours ago, a pleasant surprise for sure! Always nice to see these directors getting love worldwide. Which also kinda reminds me it's almost gonna be 2 years since Hideki Kamiya confirmed he was working on Okami 2 with Capcom.

 

[CG4R12I4N]

He always said he's a HUGE SNK fan with how he ranted about Samurai Shodown and his fave character is Raiden.
Fingers crossed he'll be involved in next season of CoTW and possibly the upcoming SamSho Action RPG.

 

[Stare best girl]

just imagine this

new Art of Fighting directed by Harada and co-developed by Arika(SNK previously announced that will collaborate with Arika)

 

[GuyZero32k4]

WHAT IN THE EVER LOVING FUCK?
Amazing. Wonder what he's gonna cook without people interfering with what he envisions.

 

[BrawlMan]

Max's input on the news.