Overview
- SNK said Tuesday it has invested in VS Studio, appointed Katsuhiro Harada as CEO, and plans to fold the Tokyo outfit into its group as a consolidated subsidiary.
- VS Studio was officially established on May 1 in Shinagawa, Tokyo, with SNK describing the relationship as collaborative support to strengthen development capacity.
- SNK producer Yasuyuki Oda welcomed Harada but said nothing has been decided yet about what the studio will make or whether it will touch SNK’s existing franchises.
- Harada outlined a philosophy of open, creative development, the studio is recruiting, and no projects or timelines have been disclosed, though the “VS” branding has led outlets to infer a likely competitive focus that remains unconfirmed.
- Coverage notes SNK’s majority ownership by Saudi‑linked entities since 2022, a backdrop that informs expectations about funding and public scrutiny as Harada starts this post‑Bandai Namco chapter.