Former Tekken 8 Director Kohei Ikeda has introduced he has joined newly established developer VS Studio, the Tokyo-based, SNK-owned outfit that was based in Could 2026 by former Tekken producer and director Katsuhiro Harada.
“I’ve joined VS Studio as the subsequent step in my journey,” confirmed Ikeda by way of social media. “Engaged on video games once more with two of my former bosses feels nostalgic in some ways, whereas on the similar time, the joy of making one thing fully new makes each day extremely fulfilling.”
“I’m actually trying ahead to seeing what we will create collectively!”
Ikeda left Namco Bandai again in June. His 20-year stint on the storied developer culminated together with his duties as recreation director on each Tekken 7 and eight. At the very least in response to Harada, Ikeda’s remaining course on Tekken concerned guaranteeing one in all Harada’s personal remaining requests got here to fruition, which was his plan to tease the return of Roger Jr. by re-creating a 10-year-old viral clip out of Australia of a person punching a kangaroo to rescue a canine.
Ikeda’s exit got here quickly within the wake of Harada’s personal departure following over three a long time at Namco Bandai, after which the Tekken legend shortly based VS Studio.
A glimpse at what VS Studio has in retailer is probably going a way off, however it might seem there isn’t a scarcity of preventing recreation expertise assembled on the new developer to date.
Luke is a Senior Editor on the IGN evaluations group. You may observe him down on Bluesky @mrlukereilly to ask him issues about stuff.
