Tekken 8 Director Joins Harada's New Studio
Kohei Ikeda, the game director of Tekken 8, has left Bandai Namco to join Katsuhiro Harada at Vs Studio.
Kohei Ikeda, the game director of Tekken 8, has left Bandai Namco to join Katsuhiro Harada at Vs Studio, a new studio financially supported by SNK.
Ikeda announced the move on social media, revealing that he had also left the Tekken 8 team to join his former boss at the new studio. He will be joined by Yuichi Yonemori, another Tekken veteran, who also left Bandai Namco earlier this year.
The three super-senior Tekken developers - Ikeda, Harada, and Yonemori - have reunited under a new roof. They will presumably work together on Vs Studio's first game, although the nature of the project remains a mystery.
Ikeda expressed his excitement about the new opportunity, stating that working with his former bosses again feels nostalgic, while also being fulfilling to create something completely new. He is looking forward to seeing what they can create together.
This move is the latest in a string of high-profile departures from the Tekken 8 team. Yuichi Yonemori left Bandai Namco in May, while Tekken director Katsuhiro Harada left in December. He had been hinting at a departure for many months, saying he wouldn't be worried about the series in his absence.
## The New Studio
Vs Studios, announced in May, is a new studio financially supported by SNK. The goal of the studio is to "combine technology, sensibility, and world-class expertise" according to Harada.
## The Future of Vs Studio
What these three Tekken developers will lead development of is anyone's guess. Many naturally assume it'll be some sort of one-on-one fighting game, but that's not been confirmed as of yet. Maybe we'll find out soon?
The departure of Ikeda and Yonemori from the Tekken 8 team raises questions about the future of the series. However, for now, the focus is on what Vs Studio will create next.
| Game Developer | Position | Previous Studio | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Kohei Ikeda | Game Director | Bandai Namco | | Yuichi Yonemori | Game Developer | Bandai Namco | | Katsuhiro Harada | Director | Bandai Namco |
