Square Enix president Yosuke Matsuda stepping down in June

Changing of the guard

Square Enix has announced that Yosuke Matsuda will be stepping down from the role of company president and representative director, to be replaced by current company director Takashi Kiryu. The changeover is expected to take place this June, following shareholder approval.

Matsuda, a veteran of the games industry for many decades, has held directive roles in companies such as Taito Corporation, before becoming president of Square Enix Co. in April of 2013, eventually being named as president of Square Enix Holdings later that year. Matsuda has overseen Square Enix’ direction for the past 10 years, throughout its highs and lows. These include the release of some lucrative and successful titles, but also the sales of various subsidiary developers and, most recently, the absorption of Luminous Productions.

Most recently, Yosuke Matsuda has led the company’s adamant push toward the blockchain/NFT market. In a letter to the company at the start of the year, Matsuda further cemented the company’s desire to capitalize on the controversial technology, despite the market’s plummeting interest and profit.

Square Enix released a brief statement, noting that the changeover was part of a reshaping the developer/publisher’s management team.

“Under the rapid change of business environment surrounding the entertainment industry, the proposed change is intended to reshape the management team with the goal of adopting ever-evolving technological innovations and maximizing on the creativity of [Square Enix Holdings Co. Ltd.]’s group in order to deliver even greater entertainment to its customers around the world.”

The change is expected to be finalized at the 34th Annual Shareholder Meetings this June, with Kiryu expected to step into the presidential role soon thereafter.