Ryosuke Yoshida, the director of Visions of Mana, has departed from NetEase and is now at Square Enix. Continue reading for the full story behind this unexpected development.
Ryosuke Yoshida Exits NetEase
Square Enix Role Remains Undefined
On December 2, Ryosuke Yoshida, the director of Visions of Mana and a former Capcom game designer, announced via his Twitter (X) account that he has left NetEase to join Square Enix. Details regarding his exit from Ouka Studio are still scarce.
At Ouka Studio, Yoshida played a leading role in the creation of the newest entry in the Mana series, Visions of Mana. Collaborating with talent from Capcom and Bandai Namco, the team delivered a hit title featuring updated and enhanced visuals. Following the game's August 30, 2024 launch, Yoshida confirmed his departure from the studio.
In the same social media post, Yoshida excitedly shared that he would begin his new position at Square Enix in December. Nevertheless, his assigned projects and responsibilities have not yet been made public.
NetEase Curtails Japanese Investment
Yoshida's move aligns with broader shifts at NetEase, Ouka Studio's parent company, which has reportedly been winding down its investments in Japanese game studios. According to a Bloomberg report from August 30, both NetEase and rival Tencent are scaling back after achieving moderate success with Japanese-developed titles. Ouka Studio is among those impacted, with NetEase downsizing its Tokyo team to a minimal staff.
Both corporations are also pivoting toward the recovering Chinese market, which involves redirecting capital and personnel. This resurgence is highlighted by Black Myth: Wukong's critical acclaim, including wins for Best Visual Design and Ultimate Game of the Year at the 2024 Golden Joystick Awards.
Back in 2020, the two firms turned their attention to Japan as China's domestic gaming growth slowed. However, strategic differences have emerged between the Chinese giants and smaller Japanese developers. The former seek to bring established franchises to a global audience, while the latter prefer to maintain tight control over their intellectual property.
Although NetEase and Tencent are not withdrawing entirely from Japan—especially given their ongoing partnerships with Capcom and Bandai Namco—they are adopting a more cautious posture to limit losses and brace for China's gaming industry rebound.
