Visions of Mana Director Moves from NetEase to Square Enix
Ryosuke Yoshida, director of the mobile game Visions of Mana and a former Capcom game designer, has transitioned from NetEase to Square Enix. This significant industry shift was announced via Yoshida's Twitter (X) account on December 2nd. Details surrounding his departure from NetEase's Ouka Studios remain scarce.
Yoshida's Role at Square Enix Remains Unclear
As a key figure at Ouka Studios, Yoshida played a crucial role in the development of Visions of Mana, collaborating with talent from Capcom and Bandai Namco to deliver a visually impressive and successful title. His departure followed the game's release on August 30, 2024. While his move to Square Enix is confirmed, his specific projects or responsibilities within the company haven't been publicly disclosed.
NetEase's Shifting Focus Away from Japanese Investments
This personnel change coincides with NetEase's reported scaling back of investments in Japanese studios. A Bloomberg article from August 30th indicated that both NetEase and Tencent are adjusting their strategies following several successful game launches through Japanese partnerships. This strategic shift has resulted in workforce reductions at Ouka Studios' Tokyo office.
The companies are realigning resources to capitalize on the resurgence of the Chinese gaming market, as evidenced by the success of Black Myth: Wukong, a title that garnered significant awards including Best Visual Design and Ultimate Game of the Year at the 2024 Golden Joystick Awards.
A Change in Strategy
In 2020, both NetEase and Tencent invested heavily in the Japanese market amidst a period of stagnation in China. However, friction reportedly emerged between these large companies and smaller Japanese developers, stemming from differing priorities regarding global market expansion versus intellectual property control.
While not entirely withdrawing from Japan, given their established relationships with companies like Capcom and Bandai Namco, NetEase and Tencent are adopting a more cautious approach, aiming to minimize losses and prepare for the revitalized Chinese gaming landscape.
