Former Visions of Mana Director Joins Square Enix

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

This surprising industry shift sees Ryosuke Yoshida, director of Visions of Mana and former Capcom designer, transition from NetEase to Square Enix, as revealed via his December 2nd Twitter (X) announcement. Details surrounding his departure from Ouka Studios remain scarce.

Yoshida's significant contributions to Visions of Mana, a collaborative project involving Capcom and Bandai Namco, resulted in a critically acclaimed title boasting updated visuals. His departure follows the game's August 30, 2024 release. While his new role at Square Enix is confirmed, specific projects remain undisclosed.

NetEase's Shifting Focus: Reduced Japanese Investments

Yoshida's move isn't entirely unexpected, considering NetEase's reported scaling back of investments in Japanese studios. A Bloomberg article (August 30th) highlighted NetEase and Tencent's strategic retreat after several successful collaborations with Japanese developers. This restructuring has impacted Ouka Studios, with NetEase significantly downsizing its Tokyo operations.

Both NetEase and Tencent are refocusing resources on the revitalized Chinese gaming market, a trend exemplified by 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.

The companies' initial foray into the Japanese market in 2020, a response to China's then-stagnant gaming sector, appears to have encountered challenges. Differing priorities—NetEase and Tencent's global market ambitions versus Japanese developers' focus on IP control—likely contributed to this shift.

While not abandoning Japan entirely, given their established relationships with Capcom and Bandai Namco, NetEase and Tencent are adopting a more cautious approach, minimizing losses and preparing for the resurgence of the Chinese gaming industry.