Some BAD SNK News: KOF XII/XIII Producer Quits

**gameoverDude** · 24 Jan 2011, 03:37 AM

Source: Dream Cancel

Neithan from Bas Gros Poing is reporting that Masaaki Kukineo, producer of KOF XII and XIII, left SNKPlaymore in November. This news creates some doubt about the port of KOF XIII. Furthermore, sources within SNKP are reporting that the new president, Ryo Mizufune, wants to shut down the video game division and focus on licensing instead, such as porting old titles and creating pachinko games and figures. With the lack of news regarding the console release of XIII, the future for King of Fighters is looking bleak.

I don't like this. Is this truly the end for SNKPlaymore as a game developer? If this is absolutely it, please let SNKP get the home versions of KOF XIII released before they throw in the towel.

In the meantime, I think I'll go nab KOF SkyStage on XBLA- just in case.

**Hero** · 24 Jan 2011, 04:35 AM

I remember saying in the BG&E thread that KoF 12 being a buy-in for 13 was a retarded concept/sell and that it wouldn't help 13's chances.

Didn't know I was *that* on the nose about it.

PS - ahahahahahahahahahaha!

**StriderKyo** · 24 Jan 2011, 05:00 AM

Wow. Incredible how a company with such a strong legacy and presence just crumbled under awful management.

**kedawa** · 24 Jan 2011, 05:24 AM

I saw this on SRK some time ago, but I think the part about shutting down the game division turned out to be wrong. I'll see if I can find the link for that...

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6286721.html

"In response to Internet rumors from earlier this week, SNK is planning to release a full slate of games in 2011 and expects to continue publishing games worldwide for many years to come."--An SNK Playmore representative.

Publishing doesn't necessarily mean developing new games, so maybe they will just milk ports of their old games.