"Get ready for the next battle!"
Tekken fans are saying goodbye to one of the key figures behind the franchise. Kohei Ikeda, who served as Game Director on Tekken 7 and Tekken 8, has announced that he has left Bandai Namco Entertainment after 20 years with the company.
Ikeda shared the news in a farewell message on X, reflecting on his journey from arcade competitor to game developer and thanking the fans, colleagues, and Fighting Game Community (FGC) members he met throughout his career.
Why is Kohei Ikeda leaving Bandai Namco?
In a post shared on X, Ikeda confirmed his departure, writing: “I have officially left Bandai Namco Entertainment after many years with the company.”
He reflected on his early years as a fighting game player, recalling the countless hours he spent in arcades and how joining namco became a lifelong ambition. “Ever since I first discovered fighting games as a student, I spent countless days in arcades, completely immersed in competition and battling against others,” Ikeda said. “For someone like me, becoming part of the company I had always admired namco was truly a dream come true.” Ikeda also credited the friendships and connections he built through fighting games for helping him reach that point in his career.
What games did Kohei Ikeda work on at Bandai Namco?
During his 20 years at Bandai Namco, Ikeda worked across both the Soulcalibur and Tekken franchises, gradually taking on larger roles within the company's fighting game division.
After joining Bandai Namco Entertainment in 2007, he entered game development the following year as a game designer on Soulcalibur IV. Before moving into development, he worked in video production, creating game-related video content and DVDs for the Tougeki fighting game tournament.
Ikeda later joined the Tekken development team, where he worked on battle design for Tekken Tag Tournament 2. His involvement with the series continued through Tekken 3D: Prime Edition and Tekken 7, the latter marking his debut as director.
Over the following years, Ikeda became one of the central figures behind the franchise alongside General Producer Katsuhiro Harada and Producer Michael Murray. He went on to serve as both development producer and director for Tekken 8 and had been leading development on Tekken 8 Season 3 alongside Murray following Harada's departure.
In his farewell message, Ikeda reflected on those projects and the people he worked alongside throughout his career.
"As I reflect on the past 20 years at the company, I remember first stepping into game development through Soulcalibur IV. Later, I was given the opportunity to work on the Tekken series a franchise that had a tremendous impact on my life and one that I had always hoped to someday give back to."
Kohei Ikeda thanks Tekken fans and the FGC
A significant part of Ikeda's message focused on the people he met while leading Tekken 7 and Tekken 8. He said serving as Game Director allowed him to connect with fans and members of the Fighting Game Community from around the world, describing those experiences as some of the most memorable moments of his career.
“In particular, being entrusted with the role of Game Director for Tekken 7 and Tekken 8 gave me the opportunity to connect with fans and members of the Fighting Game Community (FGC) from all around the world. Sharing excitement, celebrating together, and spending unforgettable moments with all of you became one of the greatest treasures of my life.”
Ikeda also acknowledged both the positive and difficult moments he experienced during his time on the series. “There were many joyful moments, and many difficult ones as well.”
“There were times when we celebrated together, and times when I received passionate criticism and encouragement. Yet every one of those moments helped push both myself and the Tekken Project forward.”
He added that feedback from fans, whether praise or criticism, helped motivate him throughout the years. “Whether it was hearing someone at an event say. "Thank you for working so hard for us!" or being told, "You need to balance the game better!"-every one of those comments supported and motivated me.”
Who is taking over Ikeda's role at Bandai Namco?
According to a report by Inven Global, longtime Tekken producer Michael Murray will lead the Tekken franchise following Ikeda's departure. Although his time as Game Director has come to an end, Ikeda said the values he and the Tekken Project championed throughout the years would remain unchanged. “While my role leading the team as Game Director is coming to a close, the values that both I personally and the Tekken Project have always cherished-staying close to the fans and the community and building the game together with everyone will never change.” Ikeda said he had passed those principles on to the team that will continue shaping the series. “I have entrusted those values, and that baton, to the incredible team that will continue shaping the future of Tekken.”
Looking ahead, Ikeda said he plans to continue taking on new challenges as a game developer while following the future of both Tekken and the Fighting Game Community. “As I look forward to the future of Tekken and the FGC, I will also continue taking on new challenges as a game developer. I hope our paths cross again someday.”
Ikeda's departure comes six months after Katsuhiro Harada left Bandai Namco.
