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 Might 2026 by former Tekken producer and director Katsuhiro Harada.
“I’ve joined VS Studio as the following step in my journey,” confirmed Ikeda via 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 day by day extremely fulfilling.”
“I’m actually wanting ahead to seeing what we are able to create collectively!”
Ikeda left Namco Bandai back in June. His 20-year stint on the storied developer culminated along with his duties as recreation director on each Tekken 7 and eight. At the least in accordance with Harada, Ikeda’s ultimate route on Tekken concerned guaranteeing certainly one of Harada’s personal ultimate 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 man punching a kangaroo to rescue a dog.
Ikeda’s exit got here quickly within the wake of Harada’s own departure following over three decades at Namco Bandai, after which the Tekken legend quickly founded VS Studio.
A glimpse at what VS Studio has in retailer is probably going a way off, however it might seem there isn’t any scarcity of preventing recreation expertise assembled on the new developer to date.
Luke is a Senior Editor on the IGN evaluations group. You’ll be able to observe him down on Bluesky @mrlukereilly to ask him issues about stuff.