Visions of Mana Director Leaves NetEase for Square Enix

Visions of Mana director, Ryosuke Yoshida, makes a surprising move from NetEase to Square Enix. This article delves into the details of this recent industry shift.

Yoshida's Departure from NetEase

Yoshida, a prominent figure in the development of Visions of Mana and a former Capcom game designer, announced his transition from NetEase's Ouka Studios to Square Enix via Twitter (X) on December 2nd. While his departure from Ouka Studios remains largely unexplained, his contributions to the successful Visions of Mana, developed in collaboration with Capcom and Bandai Namco, are undeniable. The game's release on August 30, 2024, marked a significant milestone before his move. His new role at Square Enix remains undisclosed, with no details yet revealed regarding future projects.

NetEase's Shifting Focus

Yoshida's departure coincides with reports of NetEase scaling back its investments in Japanese studios. A Bloomberg article from August 30th highlighted NetEase and Tencent's decision to curtail losses following the release of several successful titles through Japanese partnerships. Ouka Studios is directly impacted, with significant workforce reductions in Tokyo.

Both NetEase and Tencent are strategically repositioning themselves to capitalize on the resurgence of the 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 renewed focus.

The strategic shift marks a change from 2020, when both companies heavily invested in the Japanese market amidst a period of stagnation in China. However, apparent friction between these large companies and smaller Japanese developers – differing priorities regarding global market expansion versus IP control – has likely contributed to the current adjustments.

While NetEase and Tencent aren't entirely withdrawing from Japan, their strong relationships with Capcom and Bandai Namco notwithstanding, a more conservative approach aimed at minimizing losses and preparing for the revitalized Chinese market is now in effect.