{"rewrite":{"id":"r_0c17820709e34a078db53f0d","clusterId":"c_e0aed8712a014816a1ca1190","slug":"former-tekken-producer-katsuhiro-harada-launches-vs-studio-snk","model":"deepseek-v4-flash","headline":"Former Tekken Producer Katsuhiro Harada Launches VS Studio SNK","summary":"SNK announced the launch of VS Studio SNK, a new game studio led by former Tekken producer Katsuhiro Harada. SNK has invested in the studio as a consolidated subsidiary, and the two companies will collaborate on game software development. Harada left Bandai Namco at the end of 2025.","whyItMatters":"The move brings one of fighting games' most influential producers into SNK's orbit, potentially reshaping the studio's approach to its flagship franchises like The King of Fighters.","webCardHtml":"\u003cp\u003eKatsuhiro Harada, the longtime face of the Tekken series, is now building games under SNK's umbrella. SNK announced Tuesday that it has launched VS Studio SNK as a consolidated subsidiary, with Harada at the helm. The studio's name, Harada explained in a video, plays on multiple meanings: Versus, Visual Studio, and a set of aspirational acronyms including Visionary Standard and Vanguard Spirit.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHarada left Bandai Namco at the end of 2025 after decades with the company, where he directed Tekken 3 and later oversaw the fighting game esports division. SNK, now wholly owned by a Saudi Arabian foundation, has been restructuring its leadership and recently established KOF Studio to carry its legacy fighting game IPs forward. VS Studio SNK marks the first concrete project under Harada since his departure from Bandai Namco.\u003c/p\u003e","blueskyPost":"Katsuhiro Harada, former Tekken producer, is launching VS Studio SNK as a new SNK subsidiary. The studio will collaborate with SNK on game development. Harada left Bandai Namco at the end of 2025.","twitterPost":"Katsuhiro Harada, former Tekken producer, launches VS Studio SNK as a new SNK subsidiary. The studio will collaborate with SNK on game development. Harada left Bandai Namco at the end of 2025.","threadsPost":null,"newsletterBlurb":"Katsuhiro Harada, the former Tekken producer and director, is launching a new studio under SNK. VS Studio SNK will operate as a consolidated subsidiary, with SNK investing and collaborating on game software development. Harada left Bandai Namco at the end of 2025.","attributionJson":"[{\"source\":\"Anime News Network\",\"url\":\"https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2026-05-12/former-tekken-game-producer-katsuhiro-harada-launches-vs-studio-snk/.237297\",\"title\":\"Former Tekken Game Producer Katsuhiro Harada Launches VS Studio SNK\"}]","lintFlagsJson":"[]","lintHits":0,"costUsd":0,"inputTokens":3566,"outputTokens":615,"status":"published","repairAttempts":0,"nextRepairAt":null,"factsAttemptedAt":1779826894,"createdAt":"2026-05-19T19:18:56.000Z","publishedAt":"2026-05-19T19:31:49.000Z","updatedAt":"2026-05-19T19:31:49.000Z"},"cluster":{"id":"c_e0aed8712a014816a1ca1190","canonicalTitle":"Former Tekken Game Producer Katsuhiro Harada Launches VS Studio SNK","representativeArticleId":"a_22bb894622327679a438fe26","sourceCount":1,"writtenSourceCount":1,"writeAttempts":0,"isSolo":true,"entitiesJson":"{\"anime_titles\":[],\"manga_titles\":[],\"studios\":[\"SNK\"],\"people\":[\"Katsuhiro Harada\"],\"type\":\"news\",\"domain\":\"games\",\"is_roundup\":false}","contentType":"news","status":"published","firstSeenAt":"2026-05-13T02:10:54.000Z","lastSeenAt":"2026-05-13T02:10:54.000Z","updatedAt":"2026-05-19T19:31:49.000Z"},"attribution":[{"source":"Anime News Network","url":"https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2026-05-12/former-tekken-game-producer-katsuhiro-harada-launches-vs-studio-snk/.237297","title":"Former Tekken Game Producer Katsuhiro Harada Launches VS Studio SNK"}],"entities":{"anime_titles":[],"manga_titles":[],"studios":["SNK"],"people":["Katsuhiro Harada"],"type":"news","domain":"games","is_roundup":false},"keyFacts":["SNK announced the launch of VS Studio SNK on Tuesday, a new game studio led by former Tekken producer Katsuhiro Harada.","Harada left Bandai Namco at the end of 2025 after decades with the company, where he directed Tekken 3 and oversaw the fighting game esports division.","SNK has invested in VS Studio SNK as a consolidated subsidiary, and the two companies will collaborate on game software development.","The studio's name plays on multiple meanings: Versus, Visual Studio, and aspirational acronyms including Visionary Standard and Vanguard Spirit.","SNK, now wholly owned by a Saudi Arabian foundation, recently established KOF Studio to carry its legacy fighting game IPs forward."]}