"Visions of Mana Director Joins Square Enix from NetEase"

In a surprising move, Ryosuke Yoshida, the director behind the acclaimed Visions of Mana, has announced his departure from NetEase and his new venture with Square Enix. This transition, revealed via a tweet on December 2, marks a significant shift in Yoshida's career trajectory.

Ryosuke Yoshida Leaves NetEase

Yoshida, a notable figure in the gaming industry with a history at Capcom, played a pivotal role at Ouka Studios, a subsidiary of NetEase. He was instrumental in the development of the latest addition to the Mana series, Visions of Mana. Collaborating with talents from Capcom and Bandai Namco, the team successfully launched the game with enhanced graphics on August 30, 2024. Following this achievement, Yoshida announced his exit from Ouka Studios.

In the same social media update, Yoshida expressed excitement about joining Square Enix in December. However, details about his specific role or the projects he will be involved in remain under wraps, leaving fans and industry watchers curious about his future contributions.

Role in Square Enix Uncertain

The move to Square Enix opens up a myriad of possibilities for Yoshida, though his exact position and project involvement are yet to be revealed. This uncertainty adds an element of anticipation to his career move, as gamers and industry professionals alike speculate on how Yoshida's creative touch will influence Square Enix's upcoming titles.

NetEase Scaling Down Japanese Investments

Yoshida's departure from NetEase aligns with the company's broader strategy to scale back its investments in Japanese studios. A Bloomberg report from August 30 highlighted that both NetEase and its competitor Tencent have decided to reduce their financial stakes in Japan after some successful game releases. Ouka Studios, where Yoshida previously worked, has felt the impact of this decision, with NetEase significantly downsizing its Tokyo workforce.

The shift in strategy is partly driven by the anticipated resurgence of the Chinese gaming market. Both companies are reallocating resources to capitalize on this opportunity, exemplified by the success of titles like Black Myth: Wukong, which garnered accolades such as Best Visual Design and Ultimate Game of the Year at the 2024 Golden Joystick Awards.

In 2020, NetEase and Tencent ventured into Japan as the Chinese market faced stagnation. However, tensions have arisen between these giants and smaller Japanese developers, primarily due to differing priorities. While the Chinese companies aim to expand franchises globally, Japanese developers are keen on maintaining control over their IPs.

Despite this, NetEase and Tencent are not completely withdrawing from Japan. Their ongoing collaborations with major players like Capcom and Bandai Namco suggest a continued, albeit more cautious, presence in the Japanese market as they prepare for the Chinese gaming industry's revival.