Announcement of New Studio Establishment: Katsuhiro Harada Appointed as Representative
SNK Corporation announced its investment in "VS Studio SNK," a new game development studio established by renowned game creator Katsuhiro Harada, making it a consolidated subsidiary. This aims to strengthen SNK Group's game development structure and create new game experiences leveraging Harada's extensive experience and vision.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 13, 2026 at 09:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 13, 2026 at 00:32
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 13, 2026 at 01:19 (47 min after Collected)
SNK Corporation has announced its decision to invest in a new game development studio established by Katsuhiro Harada on May 1, 2026, and to welcome it into the SNK Group as a consolidated subsidiary.
Overview
On May 1, VS Studio SNK Co., Ltd. (located at 4F Shin-Meguro Tokyu Building, 2-25-2 Kamiosaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director CEO: Katsuhiro Harada) was established as a new game development studio. Upon its establishment, SNK Corporation will support the launch of the new studio and plans to make it a consolidated subsidiary. The new studio and SNK will collaborate in game software development to further strengthen development.
Comment from Katsuhiro Harada
“We have launched a new game development studio, ‘VS Studio SNK’. VS Studio, as it is commonly known, holds the philosophy of ‘Beyond tradition, crafted to perfection’.
We will gather technology, sensibility, and world-class knowledge to pursue the ultimate.
From a free, open, and spacious environment, we will generate new ideas and create memorable games.
This studio was established to give shape to that vision. The 'VS' in VS Studio carries various meanings. It encompasses ‘Video game Soft (VS Development Department)’, our roots, the spirit of ‘Versus’ which challenges tradition, and also ‘Visionary Standard’, ‘Volition Shift’, and ‘Vanguard Spirit’, embodying many meanings that symbolize innovation and challenge.
Throughout my many years in game development, I have constantly thought about how to live out my remaining time as a developer, and ‘what constitutes an environment where developers can perform at their best’. VS Studio is one answer to that question.
Gathering technology and knowledge, together with passionate colleagues, we aim to deliver the best game experiences to users worldwide. VS Studio aspires to be a studio that continues such challenges, and we are also recruiting new colleagues who share our aspirations.
Please look forward to the future of VS Studio.”
Video Message
https://youtu.be/wnirxFNs20w
Comment from Yasuyuki Oda, SNK
“We are extremely happy and proud to welcome Katsuhiro Harada, a long-time friend and good rival, into the SNK Group. We used to talk about 'what if we worked together,' and now that has become a reality.
Honestly, nothing specific has been decided yet, but I'm sure it will be even more interesting than before. We kindly ask for your continued support of SNK and VS Studio SNK.”
Katsuhiro Harada's Career
After graduating from Waseda University, he joined Namco (at the time). For 31 years, he was involved in numerous game development and production projects across arcade, home console, and VR platforms. Beyond his role as a game developer, he also focused on global marketing and community activities, supporting fighting game tournaments and fan events worldwide for many years since the 90s. He has contributed to the formation and development of the current e-SPORTS culture.
New Studio Overview
Studio Name: VS Studio SNK (Trademark Pending)
Headquarters: 4F Shin-Meguro Tokyu Building, 2-25-2 Kamiosaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo
Representative: Katsuhiro Harada (Representative Director CEO)
Business Activities: Planning, development, and operation of game software
Official Website: http://vs-studio.com
Official SNS (X): @VS_Studio_Inc
New Company Logo
Investor Overview
Company Name: SNK Corporation
Headquarters: 3F Shin-Osaka 2nd NK Building, 4-5-41 Miyahara, Yodogawa-ku, Osaka
Business Activities: Video game business, licensing business, e-SPORTS business
Subsidiaries:
USA: SNK PLAYMORE USA CORPORATION
HONG KONG: SNK ASIA CO., LIMITED
CHINA: LeWanXindi (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd., and 5 other companies
KOREA: SNK INTERACTIVE CO., LTD.
SINGAPORE: SNK GAMES SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.
JAPAN: SNK Entertainment Co., Ltd.
Overview
On May 1, VS Studio SNK Co., Ltd. (located at 4F Shin-Meguro Tokyu Building, 2-25-2 Kamiosaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director CEO: Katsuhiro Harada) was established as a new game development studio. Upon its establishment, SNK Corporation will support the launch of the new studio and plans to make it a consolidated subsidiary. The new studio and SNK will collaborate in game software development to further strengthen development.
Comment from Katsuhiro Harada
“We have launched a new game development studio, ‘VS Studio SNK’. VS Studio, as it is commonly known, holds the philosophy of ‘Beyond tradition, crafted to perfection’.
We will gather technology, sensibility, and world-class knowledge to pursue the ultimate.
From a free, open, and spacious environment, we will generate new ideas and create memorable games.
This studio was established to give shape to that vision. The 'VS' in VS Studio carries various meanings. It encompasses ‘Video game Soft (VS Development Department)’, our roots, the spirit of ‘Versus’ which challenges tradition, and also ‘Visionary Standard’, ‘Volition Shift’, and ‘Vanguard Spirit’, embodying many meanings that symbolize innovation and challenge.
Throughout my many years in game development, I have constantly thought about how to live out my remaining time as a developer, and ‘what constitutes an environment where developers can perform at their best’. VS Studio is one answer to that question.
Gathering technology and knowledge, together with passionate colleagues, we aim to deliver the best game experiences to users worldwide. VS Studio aspires to be a studio that continues such challenges, and we are also recruiting new colleagues who share our aspirations.
Please look forward to the future of VS Studio.”
Video Message
https://youtu.be/wnirxFNs20w
Comment from Yasuyuki Oda, SNK
“We are extremely happy and proud to welcome Katsuhiro Harada, a long-time friend and good rival, into the SNK Group. We used to talk about 'what if we worked together,' and now that has become a reality.
Honestly, nothing specific has been decided yet, but I'm sure it will be even more interesting than before. We kindly ask for your continued support of SNK and VS Studio SNK.”
Katsuhiro Harada's Career
After graduating from Waseda University, he joined Namco (at the time). For 31 years, he was involved in numerous game development and production projects across arcade, home console, and VR platforms. Beyond his role as a game developer, he also focused on global marketing and community activities, supporting fighting game tournaments and fan events worldwide for many years since the 90s. He has contributed to the formation and development of the current e-SPORTS culture.
New Studio Overview
Studio Name: VS Studio SNK (Trademark Pending)
Headquarters: 4F Shin-Meguro Tokyu Building, 2-25-2 Kamiosaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo
Representative: Katsuhiro Harada (Representative Director CEO)
Business Activities: Planning, development, and operation of game software
Official Website: http://vs-studio.com
Official SNS (X): @VS_Studio_Inc
New Company Logo
Investor Overview
Company Name: SNK Corporation
Headquarters: 3F Shin-Osaka 2nd NK Building, 4-5-41 Miyahara, Yodogawa-ku, Osaka
Business Activities: Video game business, licensing business, e-SPORTS business
Subsidiaries:
USA: SNK PLAYMORE USA CORPORATION
HONG KONG: SNK ASIA CO., LIMITED
CHINA: LeWanXindi (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd., and 5 other companies
KOREA: SNK INTERACTIVE CO., LTD.
SINGAPORE: SNK GAMES SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.
JAPAN: SNK Entertainment Co., Ltd.