Naoki Yoshida Steps Down from Square Enix Board of Directors: A New Chapter for Final Fantasy 14 Director

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Naoki "Yoshi-P" Yoshida, the renowned director of Final Fantasy 14, has stepped down from his position on Square Enix's board of directors. This move comes as a surprise to many, but it's a change that Yoshida has been seeking for some time. In a 2023 interview with Dutch publication NRC, Yoshida expressed his desire to leave the board, stating that "I don't want to be on the board, it's much more fun to just make games."

Yoshida's departure from the board of directors is part of a larger restructuring effort by Square Enix. The company has announced plans to reduce the size of its board from eight members to four, and Yoshida will be taking on a new role as an executive officer. This change is seen as a demotion, but it's likely that Yoshida is relieved to be leaving the administrative side of the company behind. As he noted in the past, he prefers to focus on game development rather than corporate management.

The reasons behind Yoshida's departure are multifaceted. On one hand, he has been open about his dissatisfaction with the board of directors role. On the other hand, Square Enix is undergoing significant changes in its management structure, with a focus on **quality over quantity**, **bold new IP**, and an **aggressive shift** towards releasing games on multiple platforms. The company has also established a new Executive Management Committee, which will be responsible for driving the formulation and execution of its medium-term business plan. Yoshida will be a part of this committee, alongside president Takashi Kiryu and five other executive officers.

So, what does this mean for the future of Final Fantasy and Square Enix? Here are a few key implications:

• **Increased focus on game development**: With Yoshida stepping down from the board of directors, he will be able to focus more on game development, which is likely to benefit the Final Fantasy series.
• **Changes in company strategy**: Square Enix's new management structure and focus on quality over quantity may lead to changes in the types of games the company develops and releases.
• **More platform releases**: The company's aggressive shift towards releasing games on multiple platforms may lead to more Final Fantasy games being released on Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and other platforms.
• **New opportunities for Yoshida**: As an executive officer, Yoshida may have more freedom to pursue new projects and ideas, which could lead to exciting new developments in the world of Final Fantasy.

In conclusion, Naoki Yoshida's departure from Square Enix's board of directors marks a new chapter in his career and the future of Final Fantasy. While the reasons behind his departure are complex, it's clear that Yoshida is excited to focus on game development and leave the administrative side of the company behind. As Square Enix continues to evolve and adapt to the changing gaming landscape, fans of the Final Fantasy series can look forward to new and exciting developments in the years to come.