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Following Harada's Exit, Tekken 8 Has Now Also Lost its Game Director
Following Katsuhiro Harada's departure from Bandai Namco, Tekken 8's game director Kohei Ikeda has also left the company after 20 years. Ikeda, who worked on the Tekken series and directed both Tekken 7 and Tekken 8, stated that he has entrusted the future of the franchise to the remaining team. The article also notes recent patches have improved the game's balance after initial updates caused issues.
Another Vital Figure Has Left Bandai Namco
Kohei Ikeda, also known as "Nakatsu," a veteran developer with over 20 years at Bandai Namco and a key figure in the Tekken series, has announced his departure. Ikeda served as game director and chief producer for Tekken 8 and previously contributed to titles like Soulcalibur IV and Project X Zone. He stated he will continue to pursue new challenges in game development.
Tekken 8 Chief Producer/Director Kohei Ikeda is Leaving Bandai Namco
Kohei Ikeda, chief producer and director for Tekken 8 and Tekken 7, has departed from Bandai Namco after a 20-year tenure. Ikeda expressed gratitude for his time at the company, highlighting his work on the Tekken franchise and his interactions with the fighting game community. He also stated his intention to continue pursuing new challenges in game development.
A New Challenger Appears! – Mr. Karate Brings Kyokugenryu to Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves
Mr. Karate, revealed to be Takuma Sakazaki, is joining the roster of Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves. The article details his Kyokugen Karate moves and discusses the game's Standard Edition, Season Pass 1, and the Legend Edition which includes both season passes. Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves features a new art style and the REV system, aiming to appeal to both new and veteran players.
THE KING OF FIGHTERS AFK UNVEILS THE LEGENDARY FIGHTER “NAKORURU” IN LATEST UPDATE
Netmarble has released an update for its AFK RPG, The King of Fighters AFK, introducing the new Legendary Fighter Nakoruru. The update also features several in-game events, including pick-up events for Nakoruru and other fighters with [Solid] synergy, as well as opportunities to acquire Legendary Supporter Shiki and Legendary pets RiRiru and Catra. The game is based on SNK's iconic The King of Fighters IP.
A Fatal Fury Feast for the Eyes: Bitmap Books' Fatal Fury/Garou Densetsu: The Ultimate History, Out Now!
Bitmap Books has released "Fatal Fury/Garou Densetsu: The Ultimate History," a comprehensive book celebrating SNK's iconic fighting game franchise. The 460-page volume features extensive artwork, interviews with key developers like Yasuyuki Oda, and details on the series' history, including titles like Garou: Mark of the Wolves and the upcoming Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves. Available in Standard and Collector's Editions, the book delves into the design philosophies and connections with other SNK titles.
Book Review: Fatal Fury / Garou Densetsu: The Ultimate History - Another Bitmap Beauty
Bitmap Books has released "Fatal Fury / Garou Densetsu: The Ultimate History," a comprehensive 468-page art book chronicling SNK's iconic fighting game franchise. The book details the series' inception, evolution, and artwork, including insights into the development of Garou: Mark of the Wolves and information on the cancelled Garou: Mark of the Wolves 2. It also features an interview with key developers and is praised for its high-quality presentation and stunning visuals.
Mr. Karate Reigns Supreme in Season 2 of FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves
SNK CORPORATION announced that Mr. Karate, the fifth DLC fighter for FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves Season Pass 2, will be released on May 27, 2026. Mr. Karate, a mysterious martial artist in a tengu mask, is a skilled practitioner of Kyokugen Karate. Players can acquire him through Season Pass 2 or the Legend Edition of the game.
Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves DLC character Mr. Karate launches this month
SNK Corporation announced that the Season 2 DLC character Mr. Karate for Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves will be released on May 27th. Mr. Karate, a mysterious martial artist from the Art of Fighting series, joins the game as a powerful fighter. Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves is currently available on PC, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, and PS5.
Retro Gaming in 2026: The Complete Guide to Playing Classic Games Legally | TAG
This guide explores legal options for playing retro games in 2026, noting that only 13.27% of classic US games released before 2010 are still commercially available. It details subscription services like Nintendo Switch Online and PlayStation Plus Premium, digital storefronts such as GOG and Steam, and physical collector's options including Analogue and Evercade hardware. The article also addresses the legalities of emulation, emphasizing that while emulators are legal, downloading ROMs for games one does not own is copyright infringement.
Fatal Fury Is Getting The Definitive History Book Fans Have Waited Decades For
Bitmap Books has announced "Fatal Fury: The Ultimate History," a 468-page hardcover book detailing the history of the fighting game franchise. The book features interviews with key developers like Yasuyuki Oda, Hitoshi Okamoto, and Takeshi Kimura, alongside sprite sheets, concept art, and promotional artwork. A Collector's Edition with exclusive extras is also available.
Politicians accuse Rockstar of obstructing legal process, eBay rebuffs GameStop, and video game hardware screams now - Patch Notes #52
This week's Patch Notes covers several key industry events, including politicians accusing Rockstar Games of obstructing legal processes related to union-busting allegations for Grand Theft Auto 6. eBay rejected a takeover bid from GameStop, while Nintendo cited geopolitical and technological factors for its Switch 2 price increases. Additionally, Subnautica 2 achieved over a million sales in its first hour, and Valve's new Steam Controller features an audible alert when dropped.
Evercade Announces NEOGEO Arcade 4
Blaze Entertainment announced NEOGEO Arcade 4, a new physical cartridge for the Evercade system featuring eight classic SNK NEOGEO titles. The collection includes fighting games, shooters, and brawlers, and is compatible with all Evercade and HyperMegaTech! Super Pocket devices. NEOGEO Arcade 4 is set to release in June 2026.
THE KING OF FIGHTERS AFK LAUNCHES NEW “CHAMPIONS CUP” PVP MODE AND ADDS NEW FIGHTER OROCHI YASHIRO
Netmarble has released a new update for its AFK RPG, The King of Fighters AFK, introducing a large-scale PvP mode called "Champions Cup" and a new fighter, Orochi Yashiro. The Champions Cup is a weekend-only, multi-team PvP mode for top-ranked players, focusing on strategic team compositions. The update also includes the fighter Haohmaru and various in-game events and mini-games.
Tekken veteran Katsuhiro Harada to lead new SNK subsidiary
Tekken veteran Katsuhiro Harada has been appointed CEO of SNK's newly established subsidiary, VS Studio SNK. The studio aims to leverage combined technology and knowledge to deliver top-tier gaming experiences. SNK, now largely owned by Saudi Arabia's Electronic Gaming Development Company, is also expanding its global reach with new studios.
Former Tekken Director Katsuhiro Harada launches VS Studio
Legendary developer Katsuhiro Harada, formerly of Bandai Namco and known for the Tekken series, has announced the formation of a new game development team called VS Studio. The studio is financed by SNK and aims to create high-quality games, likely within the fighting game genre given Harada's and SNK's history.
Katsuhiro Harada Joins SNK to Head New VS Studio - GameHaunt
Katsuhiro Harada, the acclaimed producer behind the Tekken series, has officially joined SNK as CEO of the newly formed VS Studio SNK. This move marks the end of his 31-year tenure at Bandai Namco. The new studio, located in Tokyo, aims to develop skill-based action games with a focus on modern technology and open workflows, though Harada warns that major releases will take time.
Former Tekken Boss Establishes New Studio Under SNK Corporation
Former Tekken director Katsuhiro Harada has established a new game development studio called 'VS Studio' under SNK Corporation in Tokyo, where he will serve as CEO and Game Director. The studio's philosophy is "Beyond tradition, crafted to perfection," aiming to combine technology, sensibility, and expertise to create memorable games. Harada previously departed from Bandai Namco in December.
Comings and Goings
SNK has announced the formation of a new studio led by veteran Tekken developer Katsuhiro Harada. This move signals a potential new direction for the company's game development efforts.
Games Inbox: What Sega game deserves a remake the most?
Readers discuss which Sega franchises deserve a remake, with concerns about the company's neglect of its classic IPs and the challenges of remaking Saturn-era 3D games. Other topics include potential Star Fox game ideas, worries about Rocksteady's future, a bafflingly long Forza Horizon ban, Katsuhiro Harada's new studio, and the debate around using game guides and the definition of 'indie' games.
