Key Takeaways
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- Katsuhiro Harada, the director of Tekken series, will leave Bandai Namco by the end of 2025 after nearly 32 years with the company.
- Harada has been gradually transferring his responsibilities to his team over the past few years, including oversight of storylines and worldbuilding for the Tekken series.
- Despite his departure, Haradas legacy in gaming extends beyond Tekken, with contributions to titles such as Soulcalibur IV, Ace Combat Infinity, Pokken Tournament, and more recently The Dark Pictures: Man of Medan, Code Vein, and Tales of Arise.
- Harada has expressed interest in new roles such as Executive Producer and Executive Game Director, and has hinted at future projects outside Bandai Namco, including a VR game named Summer Lesson. He will share more details about his plans later.
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Departure of Tekken Director Katsuhiro Harada after Nearly 32 Years at Bandai Namco – New Horizons Await
Katsuhiro Harada, director of the Tekken series, has announced his departure from Bandai Namco by the end of 2025, concluding a nearly 32-year career with the company. Harada’s decision follows a period of reflection prompted by personal losses and the departure of senior colleagues. In a LinkedIn post, Harada stated, “With the Tekken series completing 30 years—a significant milestone for a project I’ve dedicated much of my life to—I felt this was the most appropriate time to close this chapter.” He also mentioned that he had gradually transferred his responsibilities, including oversight of storylines and worldbuilding, to his team over the past four to five years. Earlier in the year, Harada hinted at his departure by expressing interest in new roles such as Executive Producer and Executive Game Director in a LinkedIn post. When Tekken fans voiced concerns, Harada responded on X (formerly Twitter) that he simply wanted to broaden his horizons. Shortly thereafter, he sought advice from PlayStation legend Ken Kutaragi, who provided encouragement and guidance.
Katsuhiro Harada’s Legacy in Gaming: Beyond Tekken and New Ventures
Harada’s history with the Tekken franchise dates back to the beginning of his career at Bandai Namco. He provided voice acting for Marshall Law and Yoshimitsu in the first two games before becoming game director with Tekken 3 in 1997. In addition to Tekken, Harada has contributed to other titles, including Soulcalibur IV, Ace Combat Infinity, and Pokken Tournament. More recently, he was credited as a game producer for Bandai Namco-published titles such as The Dark Pictures: Man of Medan, Code Vein, and Tales of Arise. Harada also mentioned working on “an extraordinary variety of projects – titles like Summer Lesson (a VR game)… both within and outside the company.” Harada’s most recent project, Tekken 8, achieved critical and commercial success, selling two million units in its launch month and surpassing three million within a year, exceeding the sales of its predecessor during the same period. As a farewell gift to fans, Harada released a one-hour DJ mix of Tekken music. Bandai Namco has invited him to make a special appearance at the TWT finals in January 2026. Harada stated that he would share more details about his future plans later.
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In a whirlwind of gaming news, let me first draw your attention to Quantic Dream Studios’ bold foray into the competitive MOBA scene with Spellcasters Chronicles. This innovative game promises a 3v3 format where players can customize spellcasters and create dynamic decks filled with creatures, incantations, buildings, and titans. Ahmed Hassan’s recent article on Players For Life Spellcasters Chronicles: Quantic Dream’s MOBA Reveals Closed Beta Dates delves into the details of this upcoming beta test, happening December 4th to 8th on Steam – don’t miss your chance to shape this promising game’s future!
But wait, let’s take a detour from our usual gaming insights to appreciate a remarkable fan-made project that’s been making waves in the community. Jonathan Dubinski has written about Alifilmworx’s incredible remake of God of War (2005) over on Players For Life God of War Remake? Here’s What Fan Dreams Might Look Like. This engaging piece shows how a dedicated fan brought Kratos and iconic enemies back to life with stunning detail.
Speaking of beloved game characters, have you checked out Ahmed Hassan’s latest piece on Players For Life Dispatch: Unraveling a Mystery Haunting Players? Published just last month, this insightful article dives into the enigma surrounding Mr. Whiskey from Adhoc Studio’s hit game Dispatch. From his comedic beginnings to his eventual role transformation, Hassan unravels the fascinating development journey of this captivating character and what it might mean for the future of the game.
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