Harada, This Isn’t How It Should Be…

In December, Katsuhiro Harada, the director of Tekken, announced his departure from Bandai Namco after years of steering one of the most iconic fighting game franchises. His farewell was heartfelt, and fans expressed their support for his next chapter. Now, we know where he’s headed, and it’s a bit of a mixed bag, Harada.

Harada has taken on the role of CEO and director at VS Studio, a new team under the SNK banner. At first glance, this seems like a dream scenario, with a legendary figure in the fighting game community joining a company renowned for classics like King of Fighters and Fatal Fury. This could potentially lead to significant advancements in the genre. However, a closer look at SNK’s current situation raises some concerns.

In 2022, the Electronic Gaming Development Company, owned by Saudi Arabian Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, acquired SNK. This move appears to be part of a broader strategy by the Saudi government to enhance its image through gaming, often referred to as “sportswashing.” With substantial financial resources but a troubling human rights record, the country has been investing in various developers and publishers, including EA and Capcom, while also taking control of major cultural events like the EVO fighting game tournament.

While Harada’s new studio should be a cause for excitement, it comes with significant caveats. It remains uncertain whether VS Studio will thrive under its parent company, especially considering the odd decisions made by Fatal Fury since the acquisition, such as the questionable use of AI and the inclusion of soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo as a playable character for reasons that are hard to justify.