Kohei Ikeda, who served as chief producer and game director on Tekken 8, has joined Katushiro Harada's newly formed VS Studio. The move reunites the two industry veterans, with Harada having previously led the Tekken franchise at Bandai Namco before his departure. VS Studio operates with backing from SNK, the developer behind the Fatal Fury series, positioning the startup with established financial support as it launches its operations.
The hiring signals continued momentum for Harada's independent venture and suggests the studio may be assembling talent from major fighting game lineages. Ikeda's departure from Bandai Namco and pivot to this smaller operation reflects a broader industry trend of veteran developers striking out with new publishers and backing models.
- Ikeda reunites with former collaborator Harada at a newly formed studio backed by SNK.
- The move represents another high-profile departure from Bandai Namco's fighting game division.
- VS Studio's funding and talent acquisition suggest ambitions beyond a single project.
All coverage
IGN
· Aug 20, 08:08 UTC
Former Tekken 8 Director Kohei Ikeda Joins VS Studio, Re-Teams With Tekken Veteran Katsuhiro Harada
The news likely won’t come as a surprise to hardcore fighting game fans.
AllKeyShop
· Aug 19, 07:25 UTC
Former Tekken 8 Director Kohei Ikeda Joins Harada and Shimbori at VS Studio SNK
Former Tekken 8 director Kohei Ikeda reunites with Katsuhiro Harada and Yohei Shimbori at the SNK-backed VS Studio to work on a new project. The post Former Tekken 8 Director Kohei Ikeda Joins Harada and Shimbori at VS Studio SNK appeared f…
Gamesindustry
· Aug 19, 06:49 UTC
VS Studio adds another Tekken veteran as Kohei Ikeda joins as game designer
Tekken 8 director Kohei Ikeda has joined Katsuhiro Harada's VS Studio.
EventHubs
· Aug 18, 14:58 UTC
Former Tekken 8 Game Director Kohei Ikeda joins his previous boss Katsuhiro Harada at VS Studio SNK
It was quite the surprise when Katsuhiro Harada announced his departure from Bandai Namco after being with the company for 30 years. He had been working on the Tekken series since its first title. Previously, Harada had claimed that he'd re…
Noisypixel
· Aug 18, 14:09 UTC
Former Tekken 8 Director Kohei Ikeda Joins Katsuhiro Harada at SNK-Owned VS Studio
Former Tekken 8 chief producer and game director Kohei Ikeda has joined VS Studio, the SNK-owned development studio headed by previous Tekken producer Katsuhiro Harada. Ikeda departed Bandai Namco in June 2026 after spending roughly 20 year…
GamingBolt
· Aug 18, 13:43 UTC
Former Tekken 8 Producer Joins Katsuhiro Harada’s VS Studio
In his announcement, Ikeda spoke about getting to work on new games with his former bosses and how it made him feel nostalgic.
Video Games Chronicle
· Aug 18, 12:15 UTC
Tekken 8 game director Kohei Ikeda has joined Harada’s SNK-owned VS Studio
Ikeda has reunited with the former Tekken series producer
Automaton-Media
· Aug 18, 09:55 UTC
Former Tekken 8 director Kohei Ikeda joins Katsuhiro Harada’s VS Studio following departure from Bandai Namco Studios
The studio is backed by Fatal Fury developer SNK.
Gematsu
· Aug 18, 09:00 UTC
Kohei Ikeda joins Katushiro Harada’s VS Studio
Kohei Ikeda, the Tekken 8 chief producer and game director who left Bandai Namco after …