Mana Director Quits NetEase for Square Enix Return

Visions of Mana Director, Ryosuke Yoshida, Makes the Switch to Square Enix

This surprising industry move sees Ryosuke Yoshida, director of Visions of Mana and former Capcom game designer, departing NetEase to join Square Enix. The announcement, made via his Twitter (X) account on December 2nd, leaves many questioning his future role within the renowned Japanese developer.

Yoshida's Next Chapter Remains a Mystery

While Yoshida's departure from Ouka Studios, a NetEase subsidiary, remains largely unexplained, his excitement about joining Square Enix is palpable. His Twitter (X) post confirms his December start date, but offers no details regarding specific projects or game titles he'll be involved with. His contributions to Visions of Mana, a successful title developed in collaboration with Capcom and Bandai Namco, showcasing updated graphics, marked a significant achievement in his career before this transition. The game's August 30th, 2024 release preceded his announcement.

NetEase's Shifting Focus: A Strategic Retreat from Japan?

Yoshida's move isn't entirely unexpected, given 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 collaborations with Japanese developers. Ouka Studios, impacted by this shift, has seen significant workforce reductions in its Tokyo office.

This strategic repositioning aligns with both companies' renewed focus on the resurgent Chinese gaming market. The success of Black Myth: Wukong, a Chinese title winning accolades such as Best Visual Design and Ultimate Game of the Year at the 2024 Golden Joystick Awards, underscores this renewed emphasis.

The year 2020 saw both NetEase and Tencent aggressively investing in Japan's gaming scene amidst a period of stagnation in the Chinese market. However, apparent friction between these large companies and smaller Japanese developers, differing priorities regarding global market expansion versus IP control, may have contributed to this recalibration of strategy.

While neither NetEase nor Tencent plans a complete withdrawal from Japan, given their existing relationships with Capcom and Bandai Namco, their current approach prioritizes loss reduction and preparation for the revitalized Chinese market.