SNK Corporation, the powerhouse behind iconic franchises like Fatal Fury, The King of Fighters, and Metal Slug, has officially unveiled a new development subsidiary: VS Studio. The venture is being led by legendary developer Katsuhiro Harada, who made headlines last December when he concluded his long tenure at Bandai Namco as the producer and director of the Tekken series.
Stepping into the role of Representative Director and CEO, Harada has defined the Tokyo-based studio’s core philosophy as: “Beyond tradition, crafted to perfection.” He describes the studio as an expansive, open-minded environment designed to foster creativity and produce unforgettable gaming experiences. As the team begins its operations, recruitment is currently underway, with a dedicated studio website slated to go live this June.
In a formal statement regarding the launch, Harada elaborated on the vision for the studio:
“We are thrilled to introduce VS Studio, founded on the principle of ‘Beyond tradition, crafted to perfection.’ By blending cutting-edge technology with seasoned expertise, we aim to pursue the pinnacle of game development.”
“Our studio is built to offer a spacious, free-thinking environment where bold ideas can flourish. The ‘VS’ in our name is multifaceted; it pays homage to our roots in the ‘Video game Soft (VS Development Division)’ while embodying the spirit of challenging conventions—signifying innovation through concepts like ‘Visionary Standard,’ ‘Volition Shift,’ and ‘Vanguard Spirit.'”
“Having spent many years in this industry, I’ve often reflected on how to best empower developers and what environment fosters their peak performance. VS Studio is the culmination of that journey. Our mission is to unite passionate creators to deliver top-tier experiences to players worldwide, and we are actively seeking new team members who resonate with this vision. We invite you to stay tuned for what’s to come.”
While it will likely be some time before we catch a glimpse of the studio’s debut project, the industry is buzzing with anticipation. It remains to be seen whether Harada will return to the fighting game arena that defined his career or venture into an entirely new genre.
