Kohei 'Nakatsu' Ikeda Leaves Bandai Namco After Tekken 7 and 8
Kohei 'Nakatsu' Ikeda, game director on Tekken 7 and 8, has left Bandai Namco after 20 years at the company.
Kohei 'Nakatsu' Ikeda, game director on Tekken 7 and 8, has left Bandai Namco after 20 years at the company.
Kohei 'Nakatsu' Ikeda, known for his work on Tekken 7 and 8, has departed from Bandai Namco following a 20-year tenure. His departure closely follows that of Katsuhiro Harada, another prominent figure in the Tekken franchise, who left to establish a new gaming company. In a farewell message shared on social media, Ikeda reflected on both the highs and lows of his time at the company, expressing gratitude for the support and challenges that have shaped his journey.
While Ikeda did not disclose his future plans, speculation is rife among fans that he may reunite with Harada at VS Studio, a venture that has joined forces with SNK Corporation. With both key figures now absent from Bandai Namco, the Tekken community is left pondering the future of the beloved fighting game series. Despite recent exciting announcements, such as the introduction of Yujiro Hanma from the Baki franchise in Tekken 8 Season 3 Pass, uncertainties loom over the possibility of a Tekken 9 and the direction it might take.
Fans have expressed concerns over the franchise's trajectory, citing past criticisms of game elements and balance adjustments. Harada's public remarks about the challenges he faced with Tekken and Bandai Namco have added to the unease, with fans questioning the fate of Tekken 9 and suggesting that a hiatus might be necessary. Bandai Namco has not yet revealed its plans for the future of the Tekken series beyond the current season.
