Former Mana director reunites with SE

Visions of Mana's Director, Ryosuke Yoshida, Makes the Switch from NetEase to Square Enix

Ryosuke Yoshida, the director behind the popular mobile game Visions of Mana and a former Capcom game designer, has left NetEase and joined Square Enix. This surprising move was announced via Yoshida's Twitter (X) account on December 2nd. Details surrounding his departure from Ouka Studios, NetEase's subsidiary, remain scarce.

Yoshida's Role at Square Enix Remains Unclear

Yoshida played a significant role in the development of Visions of Mana, collaborating with teams from Capcom and Bandai Namco to deliver a visually impressive title. Following the game's August 30th, 2024 release, he announced his transition to Square Enix. While his new position at Square Enix has been confirmed, the specific projects he'll be involved in haven't been disclosed.

NetEase's Shift in Japanese Investment Strategy

Yoshida's departure aligns with NetEase's reported scaling back of investments in Japanese studios. A Bloomberg article from August 30th highlighted NetEase and Tencent's decisions to curtail losses following several successful collaborations with Japanese developers. This strategic shift has impacted Ouka Studios, leading to workforce reductions in their Tokyo office.

Both NetEase and Tencent are refocusing resources on the revitalizing Chinese gaming market, evidenced by the success of titles like Black Myth: Wukong, a recent award winner at the 2024 Golden Joystick Awards. Their earlier foray into the Japanese market, initiated in 2020 amidst a period of stagnation in China, appears to have encountered challenges, possibly stemming from differing priorities between these large companies and smaller Japanese developers regarding global market expansion and IP control.

While not abandoning their Japanese partnerships entirely – particularly with established companies like Capcom and Bandai Namco – NetEase and Tencent are adopting a more cautious approach, aiming to minimize losses and capitalize on the resurgence of the Chinese gaming industry.