Visions of Mana Director Leaves NetEase for Square Enix

Visions of Mana Director, Ryosuke Yoshida, Makes the Switch to Square Enix

News broke on December 2nd via Yoshida's Twitter (X) account: the director of Visions of Mana and former Capcom game designer has left NetEase and joined Square Enix. Details surrounding his departure from Ouka Studios remain scarce.

Yoshida's significant contributions to Visions of Mana, a successful title boasting upgraded graphics, are well-documented. Collaborating with talent from Capcom and Bandai Namco, the game launched on August 30, 2024, shortly before Yoshida's announced move.

While his new role at Square Enix is confirmed, specific projects or game titles remain undisclosed. The future holds exciting possibilities for Yoshida within this renowned gaming company.

NetEase's Shifting Focus: A Strategic Retreat from Japanese Investments?

Yoshida's departure aligns with reports of NetEase scaling back its investments in Japanese studios. A Bloomberg article (August 30th) highlighted NetEase and Tencent's decisions to curtail losses following several successful game releases through Japanese partnerships. Ouka Studios, Yoshida's former employer, is directly impacted, with NetEase significantly downsizing its Tokyo operations.

This strategic shift reflects a broader realignment of resources towards the revitalized Chinese gaming market. The success of Black Myth: Wukong, a recipient of prestigious awards including "Best Visual Design" and "Ultimate Game of the Year" at the 2024 Golden Joystick Awards, underscores this market resurgence.

In 2020, both NetEase and Tencent ventured into the Japanese market, a move prompted by China's then-stagnant gaming sector. However, apparent friction between these large companies and smaller Japanese developers emerged. Differing priorities—global market expansion versus IP control—likely contributed to this strategic recalibration.

While not abandoning their Japanese presence entirely, given strong ties with Capcom and Bandai Namco, NetEase and Tencent are adopting a more cautious approach, minimizing losses and preparing for the continued growth within the Chinese gaming industry.