Visions of Mana Director Joins Square Enix

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Key Takeaways

  • Game Director Ryosuke Yoshida has left Ouka Studios for Square Enix.
  • Yoshida previously worked at Capcom for over a decade, working on franchises like Devil May Cry.
  • Visions of Mana was released on August 29, 2024.

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I can’t help but feel a sense of excitement about Ryosuke Yoshida’s move to Square Enix. His tenure at Capcom, where he worked on iconic titles like Devil May Cry and Lost Planet, has given him the perfect foundation for tackling some of Square Enix’s beloved franchises such as Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts.

After the release of “Visions of Mana” in August 2024, its director Ryosuke Yoshida announced his departure from Ouka Studios and his new role at the game’s publisher, Square Enix. Not only does Square Enix oversee the publication of “Visions of Mana”, but it also holds the rights to the enduring IP.

Four years in the making, “Visions of Mana” – a successor to the 2006 release “Dawn of Mana”, finally made its debut on August 29, 2024. This fantasy adventure game chronicles Val’s journey alongside his friends towards the enigmatic Mana Tree, encountering numerous obstacles throughout their quest. While “Visions of Mana” received mostly favorable reviews, whispers soon arose about the possibility of parents NetEase and Tencent closing Ouka Studios around the same period as the game’s launch. Recently, the director responsible for the latest installment in the “Mana” franchise has shared insights into his departure from the company.

Ryosuke Yoshida, a seasoned professional in the Japanese gaming industry, recently announced on Twitter that he has parted ways with Ouka Studios, the developers of Visions of Mana. Prior to his departure on October 31st, he had been serving as Senior Game Designer and later Game Director at the NetEase-owned studio. As of December, Yoshida is now employed by Square Enix, the proprietors of the Mana series. In his farewell message, the director of Visions of Mana expressed gratitude towards his team at Ouka Studios and NetEase, referring to his time there as a valuable learning experience. Yoshida, who was previously involved in creating Dragon Quest, also shared his ambition to create a game that appeals to a wide audience with his new employer.

Visions of Mana Director Brings a Wealth of Experience to Square Enix

Ryosuke Yoshida’s addition to Square Enix team marks a significant boost, as he brings more than 15 years of gaming industry expertise. Prior to his role at Ouka Studios, he honed his skills at Capcom, a renowned Japanese publisher, for over a decade. While there, he contributed significantly to popular franchises like “Devil May Cry” and “Lost Planet.” Given Square Enix’s extensive library of major intellectual properties such as “Final Fantasy” and “Kingdom Hearts,” Yoshida’s new role at the company presents some exciting prospects.

At present, Square Enix boasts several projects at various developmental stages. Excitement abounds for these upcoming games, spanning from the HD-2D Remake of Dragon Quest 1 and 2, to the temporarily postponed Kingdom Hearts mobile title. However, the game that’s creating the most buzz among them is arguably the final installment in the Final Fantasy 7 remake series, slated for release within a few years.

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2024-12-02 20:53