A Legend Of Fighting Games Steps Down
Katsuhiro Harada, the long time face of the Tekken series and a major figure in the fighting game community, has announced that he will leave Bandai Namco at the end of 2025. After roughly three decades of working on Tekken, Harada is stepping away just as the series celebrates its 30th anniversary.
In a detailed post on X, Harada explained that 2025 will be his final year both at Bandai Namco and as project leader on Tekken. For many players, especially PC fans who came in with recent releases like Tekken 7 and Tekken 8, it is hard to imagine the series without him. His fingerprints are on almost every major Tekken milestone, from arcade cabinets to worldwide esports tours.
Harada said the 30 year mark felt like the right point to close a chapter he has devoted much of his life to. It is not just a job change. For Tekken fans, it is the end of an era.
From Arcades To Global Esports
Harada used his announcement to reflect on where he came from and how the community shaped him. He described his early days supporting tiny local tournaments in Japanese arcades and small venues overseas. Back then, he was literally hauling arcade machines around, asking strangers to give Tekken a try and watching them play right in front of him.
Those grassroots experiences, meeting players face to face, became the core of his identity as a developer. Even as Tekken grew into a worldwide competitive staple, Harada kept that direct line to the community. Fans are used to seeing him at events, getting challenged on stage, sharing drinks with players, and joking around on social media.
That combination of game director and community ambassador is a big part of why he stands out among fighting game creators. It is also why his departure feels so personal for many in the Tekken scene. He has not just been the guy in the credits. He has been the public face of the series for decades.
Harada mentioned that over the last five years he has already been gradually handing off different responsibilities. Each project he worked on during that time, he said, brought new discoveries and lessons, and became an irreplaceable experience in its own right.
Why Harada Chose To Retire Now
Harada said a mix of factors pushed him toward retirement. He spoke about losing several close friends and seeing many senior colleagues he respected either retire or pass away. Those moments clearly made him reflect on his own life and career.
One likely influence is the recent death of Tomonobu Itagaki, the creator of Dead or Alive and a legendary figure in his own right. Itagaki passed away at just 58 years old. At the time, Harada shared how shocked he was, saying that while everyone eventually dies, this felt far too soon. Losing someone from the same generation and the same corner of the industry clearly hit him hard.
Harada even sought advice from Ken Kutaragi, the former PlayStation boss often called the father of the original PlayStation. Harada said Kutaragi’s words quietly supported him in making this decision to finally step away. While he did not share the exact conversation, it is clear he did not take this move lightly.
In his message, Harada repeatedly thanked the people around him. He expressed deep gratitude to the global Tekken communities, tournament organizers, and his colleagues at Bandai Namco who worked alongside him for so many years. He also noted that he is not disappearing entirely just yet and promised to share more about his next steps at a later date.
What Happens To Tekken And Tekken 8 Now
With Harada stepping aside, many players are wondering what it means for Tekken 8 and the long term future of the series. Right now there has been no announcement about who will officially take over leadership of the franchise.
However, the official Tekken account has already tried to calm fans’ worries. In a public statement, the team stressed that they remain fully committed to the ongoing development and content plans for Tekken 8. They made it clear they will continue to pay close attention to community feedback and that their goal is to preserve the vision and spirit that Harada helped build.
Tekken 8 has had a rough road this past year, with balance issues, controversial decisions, and mixed reactions from parts of the fanbase. Harada’s presence has often helped bridge the gap between upset players and the development team. Losing that direct link may worry some, but the statement suggests Bandai Namco knows how important that trust is and wants to maintain it.
The Tekken team also confirmed that Harada will still appear at the Tekken World Tour 2025 finals in Sweden at the end of January. That means fans will get at least one more chance to see him on stage at a major event before he retires.
Apart from the announcement itself, Harada marked the moment with something a bit more creative. He released an hour long Soundcloud mix titled Tekken: A 30 Year Journey Harada’s Final Mix, a musical tribute to his time with the franchise. It is a nostalgic nod to the sound and energy that helped define Tekken for multiple generations of players.
For now, the future of Tekken looks set to continue. The game will go on, new leaders will step up, and Tekken 8 will keep evolving. But for anyone who has followed the series from the arcade days to modern PC and console releases, Katsuhiro Harada’s retirement closes a chapter that will be remembered for a long time.
Original article and image: https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fighting/tekken-boss-announces-retirement-after-30-years-in-the-most-harada-way-imaginable-a-lengthy-social-media-post-and-hour-long-mixtape/
