Former Director of “Visions of Mana” Joins Square Enix from NetEase
Visions of Mana director Ryosuke Yoshida has departed from developer Ouka Studios and its parent company, NetEase.
In a post on X, Yoshida detailed that he has joined Final Fantasy creator Square Enix.
This announcement arrives as the fate of Ouka Studios hangs in the balance. Earlier this year, Bloomberg reported that NetEase was cutting jobs at the studio ahead of a potential shutdown.
Ouka Studios was founded in 2020 and brought in experienced professionals from Capcom and Bandai Namco. It released Visions of Mana on August 29, 2024, but NetEase is reportedly looking to reduce its investments in Japan after facing difficulties in delivering what it deems successful titles.
In August, Bloomberg asserted that NetEase had dismissed “almost all” of Ouka’s staff.
Reflecting on his exit, Yoshida expressed his appreciation for his teammates and NetEase for making it possible for Ouka to bring Visions of Mana to consumers.
“I am leaving NetEase Ouka Studios on October 31. Although we were a new studio, we managed to launch Visions of Mana. I’m thankful to the development team and NetEase for their support. It was truly a rewarding experience. Thank you all,” he stated.
“I am thrilled to announce that I will be joining Square Enix in December. I will strive to create a game that many can enjoy.”
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