SNK has announced that it has established a new studio alongside Tekken series creator Katsuhiro Harada, titled VS Studio. The announcement comes just a few months after he departed Bandai Namco.
In a press release, Harada states that the studio’s philsophy is “beyond tradition, crafted to perfection.” He further outlines the mission statement of VS Studio:
We will combine technology, sensibility, and world-class expertise to pursue the ultimate. From a free, open, and spacious environment, we will generate new ideas and create memorable games. We established this studio to bring this vision to life.
The “VS” in VS Studio holds various meanings. It represents our roots in “Video game Soft (VS Development Division),” the spirit of “Versus” challenging tradition, and many other meanings symbolizing innovation and challenge, such as “Visionary Standard,” “Volition Shift,” and “Vanguard Spirit.”
Having been involved in game development for many years, I’ve constantly considered how I want to spend my time as a developer and what kind of environment allows developers to perform at their best. VS Studio is one answer to that question.
By bringing together technology and knowledge, and working with passionate colleagues, we aim to deliver the best gaming experiences to users worldwide. VS Studio aspires to be a studio that continues to take on such challenges, and we are looking for new team members who share our vision.
Check out the video message announcing the establishment of VS Studio below:
It is unknown if Harada will contribute his expertise to the many fighting games under SNK’s banner. The most recent one, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, is available now for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store.
