Katsuhiro Harada launches VS Studio with SNK support

Former Tekken producer Katsuhiro Harada has launched VS Studio, a new development studio supported by SNK. Following his departure from Bandai Namco, Harada expressed a desire to revitalize the “golden era” of Japanese gaming.

In recent comments, Harada critiqued the corporate structures of many Japanese gaming companies, suggesting that leadership often lacks a fundamental understanding of the products they manage. He claimed that some executives focus solely on business metrics and profit thresholds without ever playing prototypes or finished games. He stated, “I can guarantee that none of the executives in the Japanese video game industry play their own games.”

Harada noted that his new partnership with SNK offers a different environment where management is more closely engaged with the development process. His goal with VS Studio is to leverage this culture to create successful new titles and potentially develop existing intellectual properties.