‘Tekken’ boss uses LinkedIn to meet people: “I don’t actually have that many friends”

Tekken boss Katsuhiro Harada has admitted he uses LinkedIn to meet people and “expand” his horizons.

• READ MORE: ‘Tekken 8’ review: from zero to hero

Earlier this week fans noticed Katsuhiro Harada, who has served as executive producer on recent Tekken games, had changed his status on LinkedIn to “open for work”.

“I would like to broaden my horizons by connecting with more people as I look toward the future,” he added in a short post on the employment-focused social media site.

The update was swiftly shared across social media, with fans worried Harada was planning on leaving Bandai Namco after more than 30 years. “Seeing how a gamedev legend like you is looking for a job is shocking and at the same time, exciting. I wish you all the best in your new journey,” replied fellow dev Shamil Yanbukhtin.

“Is this true?,” asked another worried fan. “Oh, don’t worry about this,” Harada replied.

“I meet a lot of people on a regular basis (but I don’t actually have that many friends in my private world LOL), I just want to meet more people and expand my horizons in the future,” he explained. “I can talk to a lot of people when I turn this option on. Just that.”

Oh, don't worry about this.
I meet a lot of people on a regular basis (but I don't actually have that many friends in my private world LOL), I just want to meet more people and expand my horizons in the future.
I can talk to a lot of people when I turn this option on.
Just that. https://t.co/OpcfAZjxuS

— Katsuhiro Harada (@Harada_TEKKEN) January 20, 2025

According to Harada’s LinkedIn account, he is still executive game director, chief producer, and general manager at Bandai Namco. His colleague Julien Merceron, who is Bandai Namco’s chief technology officer, also replied to the status update. “I might have something perfect for you, Harada-san.”

Within a year of joining Bandai Namco, Harada joined the team for 1994’s Tekken. He went on to direct 1997’s Tekken 3 and has been a central figure in the franchise’s development over the past 30 years. At the end of last year, Harada said he wanted to retire after the release of Tekken 9 which is presumably in the early stages of development after the launch of Tekken 8 in January 2024.

In other news, Hollow Knight: Silksong developers have been forced to reassure fans that the game is real after the latest release rumour was debunked.

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