Katsuhiro Harada to Lead SNK’s New VS Studio

SNK announced the creation of VS Studio SNK, saying it has taken an equity stake in the new developer and added the studio to its group as a consolidated subsidiary. The company named Katsuhiro Harada, a 31-year veteran of Namco, to lead the studio and oversee development efforts.

According to the announcement, SNK and VS Studio SNK will collaborate on game software development. Harada will head development for the studio, with responsibility for design direction and community-facing activities related to its projects.

Harada spent three decades at Namco and is closely associated with the Tekken series. During his time there he promoted competitive play and community engagement that helped shape the fighting-game competitive circuit and related events.

SNK described VS Studio SNK’s guiding philosophy as ‘Beyond tradition, crafted to perfection.’ The company framed the studio’s creation as part of its broader development activities and said the immediate focus will be collaborative software development.

The announcement did not list specific game titles, release dates or staffing levels for VS Studio SNK. SNK emphasized the intent to use Harada’s fighting-game design and community-management experience in the studio’s leadership and joint projects.