Tekken producer believes Sakurai is probably the only person that could properly make Smash Bros.
Posted on 1 year ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch | 0 comments
Tekken producer and Bandai Namco Entertainment general manager Katsuhiro Harada has commented on how Sakurai worked to bring Kazuya to Smash Bros. Ultimate, ultimately stating that “he’s probably the only one that could properly make that game.”
Harada thought Sakurai would ask questions to make sure the character was represented properly, but he “already had his own thoughts about what makes Tekken ‘Tekken.'” This is in part due to how familiar Sakurai was with the series. Harada was impressed by how much Sakurai knows about so many different gaming IPs and having them all integrated into Smash Bros. so successfully.
Video: Sakurai talks why he doesn’t really drink water, unaffected by horror games, more
Posted on 2 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, Switch, Videos | 0 comments
As part of his “Harada’s Bar” video series, Tekken producer and Bandai Namco general manager Katsuhiro Harada sat down for a chat with Masahiro Sakurai. The two talked about games as well as a wide array of other topics, including a bit about Smash Bros. why Sakurai doesn’t tend to drink water, how he’s not really affected by scary games, and much more.
Here’s the full discussion:
Tekken 7 director again says Switch port is dependent on fan demand
Posted on 5 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch | 0 comments
During Kuro Kuro’s year-end Tekken drinking party, series producer and director Katsuhiro Harada was asked about bringing the latest entry to Switch. Harada indicated once again that Tekken 7 on Nintendo’s console is dependent on fan demand, so let them know if you’re interested. Of course, that’s easier said than done, and some Switch owners have started to become disappointed that releasing a game on the system requires them to be vocal.
Harada also said something similar a year ago. He suggested at the time that technical factors come into play regarding a port, and the team had yet to do much research in possibly bringing Tekken 7 over to Switch. Harada was also unsure just how much interest there was in the fighter appearing on Nintendo’s platform.
More: Bandai Namco, Katsuhiro Harada, Tekken 7
Tekken 7 director unsure about a Switch version, could be investigated if there’s enough interest
Posted on 6 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch | 78 Comments
Tekken 7 director Katsuhiro Harada was asked about the possibility of a Switch version earlier in the year. However, he didn’t have much to say at the time. Harada was again asked about the possibility in a new interview with GameSpot this week.
While speaking with the site, Harada indicated that there would be some technical work needed to make a Switch version happen. He brought up the idea of “a lighter version of the game that’s easily portable to that platform”, though right now there are no immediate plans.
More: Bandai Namco, interview, Katsuhiro Harada, Tekken 7
Tekken 7 producer comments on possibility of Switch port
Posted on 6 years ago by Zack in General Nintendo, Switch | 40 Comments
In a recent interview with Gamespot, Tekken series producer Katsuhiro Harada commented on the possibility of Tekken 7 arriving on the Nintendo Switch. When asked about what the future would hold for Tekken 7 fans on the Switch, Harada had this to say:
“Officially, we can’t really comment on that because our company has strict policy about which titles we talk about for Switch. But personally, we’ve been so busy with trying to master up Tekken for the current platforms that we haven’t really had enough time to study the hardware. We couldn’t even buy it–it was sold out every time we went to look for it.”
Unfortunately, it seems like the possibility of Tekken 7 coming to the Switch is far in the future, at best. You can read the full interview here.
Tekken 7 producer “quite surprised” by Switch announcement
Posted on 7 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch | 15 Comments
During an interview with GameSpot, Tekken 7 producer Katsuhiro Harada was asked about the possibility of a Switch version. His response was short, as he stated: “We’re quite surprised by the Nintendo Switch announcement; read into that what you like.”
Tekken Tag Tournament 2: Wii U Edition made it out for Wii U’s launch back in 2012. Harada also acted as co-producer on Pokken Tournament. It’s unclear what plans – if any – Bandai Namco could have in store in the fighting department for Switch.
More: interview, Katsuhiro Harada
Pokken Tournament dev tidbits – Wii U reception, making the game approachable, more
Posted on 7 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii U | 5 Comments
In one of its recent issues, Famitsu published an interview with the developers behind Pokken Tournament. The magazine spoke with director and chief producer Katsuhiro Harada, director Haruki Suzaki, and producer Masaaki Hoshino. Topics include the reception on Wii U, trying to make the game approachable, and more.
We have a summary of the full interview. To read our translation, head past the break.
Bandai Namco’s Harada and Hoshino talk Pokemon experiences, Pokken Tournament
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Videos, Wii U | 6 Comments
Katsuhiro Harada and Masaaki Hoshino, two Bandai Namco developers who worked on Pokken Tournament, shared some words about Pokemon in celebration of the series’ 20th anniversary. Comments from both are in the video below. You might be surprised to see how much of a big fan Hoshino is of Pokemon!
Pokken Tournament started out as an idea for a Pokemon-themed Taiko Drum Master
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii U | 8 Comments
Pokken Tournament ended up as a 3D fighter that takes some inspiration from Tekken. That wasn’t the original plan, however.
When Bandai Namco was meeting with The Pokemon Company CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara, there was interest in creating a Pokemon-themed version of the rhythm series Taiko Drum Master. Ishihara was actually the one who suggested doing something different.
“Mr. Ishihara actually said, ‘If we’re going to work with Bandai Namco, I want to do a collaboration with Tekken,'” Pokken Tournament producer Katsuhiro Harada told The Verge.
And so that’s how we eventually ended up with Pokken Tournament. The game made its way to arcades last year, and will be reaching Wii U on March 18.
Pokken Tournament devs on why a 3DS version is unlikely
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News | 24 Comments
Pokken Tournament is heading to Wii U, but it won’t be on 3DS. Although a portable version is something that most fans weren’t expecting to happen, Bandai Namco has commented on why the game probably won’t be gracing Nintendo’s handheld.
Speaking with GameSpot, developer Masaaki Hoshino mentioned that it “would be a challenge” to replicate Pokken Tournament’s graphics on 3DS.
He said:
“It’s definitely a challenge to get it on the Wii U with what we’re doing right now. And it definitely would be a challenge to have the same graphical experience on the 3DS.”
As for Bandai Namco’s Katsuhiro Harada, he feels it’s more of a money issue.
“Programmer does not need technology. Programmer needs budget.”
