SNK has announced the establishment of a new game development company, 'VS Studio,' and its incorporation as a subsidiary. The studio will be led by Katsuhiro Harada, the long-time face of the Tekken series.

On the 13th, SNK announced the launch of VS Studio and the appointment of Katsuhiro Harada, who recently left Bandai Namco, as its Representative Director and CEO. Established on May 1, VS Studio is based in Shinagawa, Tokyo. SNK also announced plans to integrate the studio as a consolidated subsidiary and will collaborate with them on future game development.

In a video released alongside the announcement, Harada defined the studio's philosophy as 'Beyond tradition, in pursuit of perfection.' He noted that while many associate 'VS' with 'Versus' or, for developers, 'Visual Studio,' the name carries deeper meaning. He cited 'Visionary Standard,' 'Volition Shift,' and 'Vanguard Spirit' as core pillars, emphasizing a goal to set new industry benchmarks and push boundaries through a pioneering spirit.

Yasuyuki Oda, SNK's fighting game producer, stated, 'I am incredibly proud to welcome Harada, a long-time friend and a rival worthy of us, to the group. We have talked about the hypothetical scenario of working together for a long time, and that dream has now become a reality.' While Oda did not discuss specific lineups or plans, noting that 'nothing has been decided yet,' the industry widely expects a fighting game, given SNK's legacy in the genre and Harada's own acknowledgment of the 'Versus' association.

Meanwhile, Harada announced that he will serve as both CEO and Game Director, signaling his intention to dedicate his time to hands-on development, regardless of the project.

Harada joined Namco in 1994 and has participated in the development of various arcade and console titles. He is best known as the long-time main producer of the Tekken series, serving as the face of its success and popularity. After serving as a general manager and overseeing numerous other projects at Bandai Namco, he departed the company at the end of 2025.

With the partnership between SNK and Harada now official, the biggest question for fighting game fans is what kind of project will emerge. VS Studio plans to share further updates via its official website and social media channels and is currently recruiting new team members.