Visions of Mana Director Leaves NetEase for 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 game designer, depart NetEase and join Square Enix, as announced via his Twitter (X) account on December 2nd. Details surrounding his departure from Ouka Studios remain scarce.

Yoshida's prominent role in developing Visions of Mana, a successful title boasting upgraded graphics and collaboration with Capcom and Bandai Namco personnel, is well-documented. His announcement of leaving Ouka Studios followed the game's August 30th, 2024 release. While his move to Square Enix is confirmed for December, the specific projects he'll be involved with are yet to be revealed.

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 decisions to curtail losses following several successful game releases through Japanese partnerships. Ouka Studios, Yoshida's former employer, has been affected, with NetEase significantly downsizing its Tokyo workforce.

This strategic shift reflects both companies' preparations for a revitalized Chinese gaming market, demanding a reallocation of resources. The success of Black Myth: Wukong, a recipient of awards like Best Visual Design and Ultimate Game of the Year at the 2024 Golden Joystick Awards, exemplifies this market resurgence.

A Strategic Retreat?

In 2020, NetEase and Tencent invested heavily in Japan amidst a period of stagnation in the Chinese market. However, apparent friction between these large companies and smaller Japanese developers emerged. The larger entities prioritized global market expansion for acquired franchises, contrasting with the Japanese developers' focus on retaining control over their intellectual properties (IPs).

While NetEase and Tencent aren't completely withdrawing from Japan, their strong relationships with Capcom and Bandai Namco notwithstanding, their current approach reflects a more conservative strategy—minimizing losses and preparing for the anticipated growth of the Chinese gaming market.