SNK and Tekken Boss Katsuhiro Harada have announced the formation of VS Studio.
The new studio was established on May 1st, 2026, with SNK Co., LTD supporting the launch with plans to make it a consolidated subsidiary. The new studio and SNK will collaborate on game software development, with plans to further strength their development capabilities.
Statement 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.
Statement 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.
To learn more, here is the official announcement message as shared by SNK.
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