Square Enix Rehires Visions of Mana Director

Visions of Mana Director, Ryosuke Yoshida, Moves from NetEase to Square Enix

This surprising industry shift sees Ryosuke Yoshida, director of Visions of Mana and former Capcom game designer, transition from NetEase to Square Enix. The announcement, made via his Twitter (X) account on December 2nd, leaves many questioning his future role.

Yoshida's New Role Remains Unclear

Details surrounding Yoshida's departure from Ouka Studios, a NetEase subsidiary, remain scarce. However, his significant contribution to Visions of Mana, a successful title boasting upgraded graphics and developed in collaboration with Capcom and Bandai Namco personnel, is undeniable. His departure follows the game's August 30th, 2024 release.

While Yoshida confirmed his December move to Square Enix on Twitter (X), the specific projects or games he'll be involved with haven't been revealed.

NetEase's Shifting Focus and Reduced Japanese Investments

Yoshida's move isn't entirely unexpected, given NetEase's reported scaling back of investments in Japanese studios. A Bloomberg article (August 30th) highlighted NetEase and Tencent's decisions to curtail losses after several successful collaborations with Japanese developers. This strategic shift has impacted Ouka Studios, resulting in workforce reductions at their Tokyo office.

This realignment reflects both companies' preparations for a revitalized Chinese gaming market, evidenced by the success of Black Myth: Wukong, a recipient of numerous awards including Best Visual Design and Ultimate Game of the Year at the 2024 Golden Joystick Awards.

The decision contrasts sharply with their 2020 strategy of significant investment in the Japanese market, a move prompted by China's then-stagnant gaming sector. However, apparent friction between these large companies and smaller Japanese developers – differing perspectives on global market expansion versus IP control – appears to have influenced this strategic retreat.

While NetEase and Tencent aren't completely withdrawing from Japan, their strong relationships with Capcom and Bandai Namco notwithstanding, their current approach emphasizes loss reduction and preparation for the resurgence of the Chinese market.