Ryosuke Yoshida, Visions of Mana Director, Moves from NetEase to Square Enix
This surprising industry move has sent ripples through the gaming community. Ryosuke Yoshida, director of Visions of Mana and a former Capcom game designer, has left NetEase and joined Square Enix, as revealed via his Twitter (X) account on December 2nd. Details surrounding his departure from Ouka Studios remain scarce.
Yoshida's significant contributions to the latest Mana title are undeniable. Collaborating with talent from Capcom and Bandai Namco, he spearheaded the development of Visions of Mana, a game lauded for its updated visuals and successful launch on August 30, 2024. His announcement of the Square Enix transition followed shortly after.
While Yoshida's enthusiasm for his new role at Square Enix is evident, his specific projects remain undisclosed.
NetEase's Shifting Focus: Reduced Japanese Investments
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 decision to curtail losses following several successful but ultimately less profitable ventures with Japanese developers. Ouka Studios, Yoshida's former employer, has been impacted, with NetEase significantly reducing its Tokyo workforce.
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, exemplifies this market resurgence.
In 2020, both NetEase and Tencent invested heavily in the Japanese market amidst a period of stagnation in China. However, apparent friction between these large companies and smaller Japanese developers emerged, stemming from differing priorities: global market expansion versus IP control.
While NetEase and Tencent aren't abandoning Japan entirely, given their established relationships with Capcom and Bandai Namco, their current strategy prioritizes loss mitigation and preparation for the strengthening Chinese gaming sector.
