SNK Corporation and Katsuhiro Harada have announced a surprising collaboration that has caught the attention of fighting game enthusiasts. SNK has revealed the establishment of a new development studio, appointing Katsuhiro Harada as its representative. With over 30 years of experience and a pivotal role in shaping the fighting game genre, Harada now joins one of the genre’s most iconic companies.
VS Studio is the Name of Harada’s New Venture
VS Studio, a subsidiary of SNK, was established on May 1, 2026, under Harada’s leadership as Representative Director and CEO. According to SNK’s official statement, the name “VS” carries multiple meanings, ranging from a reference to its development division (Video Game Soft) to concepts like “Visionary Standard” and “Vanguard Spirit,” symbolizing a challenge to tradition.
Katsuhiro Harada elaborated on the philosophy of his new video game development studio:
VS Studio’s philosophy is ‘Beyond tradition, designed for perfection.’ We will combine world-class technology, sensibility, and experience to achieve ultimate excellence. We established this studio to bring that vision to life.”
Meanwhile, Yasuyuki Oda, Vice President of SNK Studios, expressed: “We have long discussed a hypothetical scenario of working together, and now, that dream has become a reality. I have no doubt that things will become more exciting than ever.”
What Can Fans Expect from the Union of Harada and SNK to Create VS Studio?
Harada’s arrival at SNK opens up a spectrum of possibilities for the company, especially for the imagination of fighting game fans. Given Harada’s expertise in handling 3D environments and characters, it’s natural to project this knowledge onto SNK’s franchises that have previously explored the 3D realm. For instance, the Maximum Impact series (a spin-off of The King of Fighters), Fatal Fury: Wild Ambition, Samurai Shodown 64 (or Zen), or the experimental Buriki One are some of the sagas that could see a revival under VS Studio.
While specific plans for games or projects involving Harada with VS Studio are yet to be determined, the infrastructure of this new subsidiary aims to strengthen SNK’s development capabilities. It is worth noting that the Japanese developer is currently working on an ARPG set in the Samurai Shodown universe, a new Art of Fighting title, and the return of the Metal Slug franchise.
