SNK Corporation has announced the establishment of VS Studio SNK, a new game development subsidiary led by industry veteran Katsuhiro Harada.
The studio was established on May 1, 2026, and is headquartered in Tokyo. Harada serves as the Representative Director and CEO of the venture. This move follows his departure from Bandai Namco in late 2025 after 31 years with the company.
VS Studio SNK Announced | Message from Harada
Vision and Studio Philosophy
The philosophy of VS Studio SNK is “Beyond tradition, crafted to perfection”. Harada stated that the studio was created to provide an environment where developers can focus purely on creative output and technical excellence. The name “VS” carries multiple technical and historical meanings:
- Video game Soft: A reference to the “VS Development Division” where Harada began his career.
- Versus: Representing the spirit of challenge and the fighting game roots of the leadership.
- Visionary Standard: A commitment to setting new benchmarks in game design.
- Volition Shift and Vanguard Spirit: Symbolizing innovation and the drive to lead the industry forward.
Strategic Collaboration with SNK
As a consolidated subsidiary, VS Studio SNK will collaborate directly with SNK to strengthen the group’s overall development capabilities. The new studio shares an office building with SNK in Meguro, Tokyo. This proximity allows for the sharing of knowledge, development environments, and staff resources between the two entities. Yuichi Yonemori, a former producer who previously worked on the Tekken franchise, has joined Harada in this new endeavor.
VS Studio SNK | Editor’s Take
The establishment of VS Studio SNK marks one of the most significant industry shifts in recent years. Harada’s move to a former rival studio creates both potential innovation and competiton for the fighting game genre. By operating as a subsidiary rather than a direct internal department, the studio can maintain a level of creative independence while leveraging the financial and technical infrastructure of SNK.
The addition of Yuichi Yonemori is important to note. His experience in high-fidelity 3D combat mechanics complements SNK’s ongoing work on the Unreal Engine 5 pipeline. This partnership suggests a future where SNK titles could benefit from the mechanical depth that defined the 3D fighting game era. It is clear that Harada is prioritizing a return to hands-on development, which often leads to more focused and technically sound products compared to large scale corporate productions.
