Harada on the Future of Tekken: A new team and game changes possible

Katsuhiro Harada, the executive producer of the Tekken franchise, stated that his involvement in the project may end after the release of the next game. Since the launch of the first installment in 1994, Tekken has consistently received high praise and has grown in popularity, becoming almost synonymous with the fighting game genre.

The franchise, owned by Bandai Namco, has released 11 games over nearly 30 years. Harada has been actively involved in the development of Tekken for most of this time, with his latest project being Tekken 8.

In an interview, Harada noted that a new team of developers may form in the future, as many current staff members have been with the company for decades. He also emphasized that the game could change and become “more casual,” similar to Smash Bros. after his departure.

Harada expressed concern about the need to maintain a creative balance amid business pressures. He highlighted the importance of balancing creativity, marketing, and community to achieve success in future games.