Tekken 8 director Katsuhiro Harada's unwavering dedication to the franchise has sometimes clashed with Bandai Namco's internal structure. Known for his rebellious spirit and unwillingness to compromise, even in the face of fan criticism, Harada's approach hasn't always been fully embraced within the company. His commitment, while admired by fans, occasionally strained relationships with colleagues.
Harada's unconventional path began in his youth, defying his parents' wishes to pursue a career in gaming. Initially met with disapproval, his parents eventually accepted his choice, though not without initial heartbreak. This independent streak continued into his career at Bandai Namco, where he initially worked promoting arcade games.
Even after achieving seniority, Harada bucked tradition. Despite being reassigned to a publishing role, he actively involved himself in the future of Tekken, defying the usual transition of lead developers to management. This, despite Tekken not being his official responsibility and working outside his assigned department.
This rebellious spirit extended to his development team, whom Harada playfully refers to as "outlaws" due to their independent approach. Their unwavering commitment to the Tekken series, however, is arguably a key factor in the franchise's enduring success.
With Harada hinting that Tekken 9 will be his final project before retirement, the future of the Tekken series hangs in the balance. Whether his successor can match his legacy remains to be seen.
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