Visions of Mana Director Leaves NetEase for Square Enix

In a surprising move, Ryosuke Yoshida, the director behind the acclaimed Visions of Mana, has announced his departure from NetEase's Ouka Studios to join Square Enix. This transition was revealed by Yoshida himself on his Twitter (X) account on December 2, marking a significant shift in his career trajectory.

Role in Square Enix Uncertain

Ryosuke Yoshida, a former game designer at Capcom, played a pivotal role in the development of Visions of Mana at Ouka Studios. Collaborating with talents from Capcom and Bandai Namco, Yoshida helped bring to life a game that not only retained the essence of the Mana series but also introduced new, upgraded graphics. Following the game's successful release on August 30, 2024, Yoshida shared his decision to leave Ouka Studios and join Square Enix in December. However, details about his specific projects or contributions at Square Enix remain undisclosed, leaving fans eager for more information.

NetEase Scaling Down Japanese Investments

Yoshida's move to Square Enix coincides with NetEase's strategic decision to scale back its investments in Japanese studios. A Bloomberg report from August 30 highlighted that both NetEase and its competitor Tencent have been reevaluating their investments in Japan after launching several successful games through local studios. Ouka Studios, under NetEase, has felt the impact of this shift, with the company significantly reducing its workforce in Tokyo to a minimal number of employees.

This strategic pivot by NetEase and Tencent is driven by the anticipated resurgence of the Chinese gaming market. The success of games like Black Myth: Wukong, which clinched awards such as Best Visual Design and Ultimate Game of the Year at the 2024 Golden Joystick Awards, underscores this trend. Both companies are reallocating resources to capitalize on the growing opportunities in China.

The initial move into Japan by NetEase and Tencent in 2020 was a response to the stagnation of the Chinese gaming market. However, tensions have arisen between these global entertainment giants and smaller Japanese developers, primarily due to differing priorities. While the former aims to expand franchises globally, the latter focuses on maintaining control over their intellectual properties (IPs).

Despite these adjustments, NetEase and Tencent are not completely withdrawing from Japan. Their ongoing collaborations with major players like Capcom and Bandai Namco suggest a continued, albeit more cautious, presence in the Japanese market as they prepare for the Chinese gaming industry's revival.