Final Fantasy XIV Director Naoki Yoshida Steps Down from Square Enix Board

Tokyo, Japan — Square Enix announced last week that Naoki Yoshida, also known as Yoshi-P, is no longer a member of the company’s board of directors. This change comes amid an updated executive lineup and discussions about management restructuring within the company.

Yoshida, who has been an influential figure in the gaming industry as the director and producer of Final Fantasy XIV, joined Square Enix as an executive officer in 2015. He was subsequently promoted to executive director in 2018, a role that required his presence on the board alongside other executive leaders.

While Yoshida is currently still recognized in a different executive capacity, his removal from the board implies a significant shift in his responsibilities. Although Square Enix’s official website still lists him as a director, other sources confirm his new designation as an executive officer. This suggests a potential demotion, raising questions about the future of his involvement with the company.

Reports indicate that Yoshida may have voluntarily stepped down from the board. In a 2023 interview, he expressed his dissatisfaction with board duties, stating, “I don’t want to be on the board, it’s much more fun to just make games.” This sentiment resonates with his passion for game development, which he has prioritized over administrative responsibilities.

Despite this change, Yoshida is expected to continue as the head of Creative Business Unit 3, overseeing the development of popular titles such as Final Fantasy XIV and Final Fantasy XVI. The company is keen to retain his expertise and has appointed him to a new Executive Management Committee designed to oversee the execution of Square Enix’s medium-term business plan, which emphasizes quality, innovation, and a shift toward multiple gaming platforms.

Square Enix’s restructuring comes in the wake of underwhelming sales for some of its recent triple-A titles. The company’s president, Takashi Kiryu, announced that board changes aim to reshape its strategies to improve revenue and address shifts in the gaming landscape, including a broader outreach to players.

Yoshida’s contributions to Final Fantasy XIV have been pivotal; his leadership was instrumental in turning the game’s failed initial launch into a successful MMORPG with a dedicated player base. The latest expansion, Dawntrail, released last year, saw a surge in player engagement, marking a significant milestone for the game since its 2013 reboot.

As Square Enix continues to navigate the evolving gaming market, the departure of a key figure like Yoshida from its board raises curiosity about the company’s future direction and how it plans to respond to both fan expectations and financial pressures.