In a surprising turn of events, Ryosuke Yoshida, director of the recently released Visions of Mana, has announced his departure from Ouka Studios and its parent company, NetEase. Yoshida revealed via a post on X (formerly Twitter) that he has joined Square Enix, the iconic developer behind the Final Fantasy franchise.
The move casts further uncertainty over the future of Ouka Studios, which has been teetering on the brink of closure. Earlier this year, Bloomberg reported that NetEase had begun slashing jobs at the studio, leaving “all but a handful” of employees. The studio, established in 2020, aimed to make a mark with its team of industry veterans from Capcom and Bandai Namco but now finds itself in a precarious position.
NetEase, one of the world’s largest gaming companies, has reportedly been reevaluating its investments in Japan after struggling to produce what it considers major hits. While Visions of Mana launched on August 29, 2024, the game appears to have fallen short of expectations, further complicating Ouka Studios’ prospects.
In his farewell message, Yoshida expressed gratitude toward his colleagues and NetEase for their support. “I quit NetEase Ouka Studios on October 31. We were a new studio, but we were able to release Visions of Mana. I am grateful to the development team and NetEase for their support. It was a very good experience. Thank you all,” he wrote.
Yoshida also shared his excitement for the future, stating, “I am happy to announce that I joined Square Enix in December. I will do my best to make a game that many people can enjoy.”
The departure of such a high-profile figure further signals trouble for Ouka Studios, raising questions about its long-term viability. With Yoshida now at Square Enix, fans are eager to see what the seasoned director will bring to one of gaming’s most storied companies. Meanwhile, Ouka Studios faces an uphill battle to secure its survival amidst NetEase’s shifting priorities.