Tekken growth chief Katsuhiro Harada has introduced that he’ll be departing from the combating recreation collection and its writer Bandai Namco on the finish of 2025. Harada–who has labored on each Tekken recreation because the collection first debuted in 1994–said in a social media submit that the demise of shut associates in his life had led to him to think about how a lot time he had left as a creator, and after consulting PlayStation icon Ken Kutaragi, he determined to go away the writer after spending 30 years engaged on the Tekken franchise.
“With the Tekken collection reaching its thirtieth anniversary–an necessary milestone for a undertaking I’ve devoted a lot of my life to–I felt this was probably the most becoming second to carry one chapter to a detailed,” Harada wrote in a web based submit. “In recent times, I skilled the lack of a number of shut associates in my private life, and in my skilled life I witnessed the retirement or passing of many senior colleagues whom I deeply respect. These gathered occasions made me mirror on the ‘time I’ve left as a creator.’ Throughout that interval, I sought recommendation from Ken Kutaragi–whom I respect as if he have been one other father–and obtained invaluable encouragement and steering. His phrases quietly supported me in making this determination.”
I’d wish to share that I’ll be leaving Bandai Namco on the finish of 2025.
With the TEKKEN collection reaching its thirtieth anniversary—an necessary milestone for a undertaking I’ve devoted a lot of my life to—I felt this was probably the most becoming second to carry one chapter to a detailed.
My roots lie…— Katsuhiro Harada (@Harada_TEKKEN) December 8, 2025
Harada added that he’d been progressively getting ready the Tekken workforce for his departure, and he was grateful to have labored on the collection and on a number of different video games, resembling Pokken Event and SoulCalibur. Whereas Harada is leaving Bandai Namco, he talked about he would share his subsequent steps at a later date. In a separate submit, Bandai Namco stated it stays dedicated to future growth and content material for Tekken 8 and expressed gratitude to Harada for his many years of labor.
Regardless of a powerful launch and three million gross sales in its first yr, Tekken 8 has confronted an uphill battle all through 2025. Longtime followers have obtained current gameplay updates, and character modifications have been poorly obtained. Many gamers have additionally criticized the sport’s microtransaction system.