Kohei Ikeda, the Game Director of Tekken 8 and Tekken 7, has announced that he has officially left Bandai Namco Entertainment after spending two decades at the company.
The veteran developer shared the news in a lengthy statement, reflecting on his career and the journey that took him from being a fighting game fan to becoming one of the key figures behind Bandai Namco’s flagship fighting game franchise. His departure marks the second high-profile exit from Bandai Namco and the Tekken development team in recent months.
“I have officially left Bandai Namco Entertainment after many years with the company,” Ikeda said. He described joining Namco as “truly a dream come true” and credited the friendships and connections he built through the fighting game community for helping shape his career.
Looking back on his time at the company, Ikeda recalled beginning his development career with Soulcalibur IV before eventually joining the Tekken series. “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,” he said.
Ikeda highlighted his tenure as Game Director on both Tekken 7 and Tekken 8 as one of the most meaningful periods of his career. According to the developer, the role allowed him to connect with fans and members of the Fighting Game Community across the world. He noted that both praise and criticism from players helped motivate the team and push the series forward.
“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,” Ikeda wrote.
While stepping away from his leadership role, Ikeda expressed confidence in the team that remains at Bandai Namco. “I have entrusted those values, and that baton, to the incredible team that will continue shaping the future of Tekken,” he said.
The departing director did not reveal his next destination but stated that he intends to continue pursuing new challenges within game development. He closed his message with a familiar Tekken phrase, writing, “GET READY FOR THE NEXT BATTLE!!!”
Bandai Namco has not yet announced who will assume Ikeda’s responsibilities on the Tekken franchise following his departure.
