Katsuhiro Harada, the legendary Japanese video game developer and long time development chief of the Tekken series, has announced he is leaving Bandai Namco at the end of 2025. This departure comes after three decades with the company, coinciding with the Tekken franchise reaching its 30th anniversary.

Reflecting on a Creator’s Time

In a statement posted to social media, the 55 year old Harada explained that recent events in his life led to this decision. Specifically, the loss of close friends and the retirement or passing of senior colleagues caused him to reflect on “the time I have left as a creator.” He also received encouragement and guidance from Ken Kutaragi, the “father of PlayStation,” which supported his decision. Over the last few years, Harada had gradually handed over all of his responsibilities, including the series’ stories and worldbuilding, to his team. He did not announce his retirement but stated that he will share more about his next steps at a later date.

A Legacy in Fighting Games

Harada’s career began in the early 1990s at Namco, where he worked on the Tekken series from its initial arcade versions. He eventually became the director and public face of the franchise. Beyond Tekken, he also worked on other projects, including the SoulCalibur series, Pokkén Tournament, and various VR titles like Summer Lesson. Harada was known for his candid public statements, sometimes criticizing Bandai Namco’s publishing and business decisions regarding Tekken, particularly concerning community concerns over premium DLC. He had previously admitted to a structural mistake in not being able to properly bridge the divide between the game’s development and publishing sides.