Square Enix president Yosuke Matsuda is set to step down this summer

It looks like Square Enix is ​​going to make changes at the top of its corporate ladder later this year. In a new business memo, the Japanese publisher revealed its plans to replace Yosuke Matsuda as company president in June 2023, subject to approval from shareholders. Matsuda was replaced by Takashi Kiryu, currently the director of Square Enix.

Matsuda has been a divisive figure, at least from the outside looking in. The industry giant helped the publisher regain its composure in the early years of its reign, following a borderline disastrous PS3 generation. But while he’s seen the firm push a number of big hits in his 10 years at the top — titles like Final Fantasy XIV immediately come to mind — there’s no denying that he’s been a very up-and-coming company for the company. He has been in charge during the decade below.

From turbulent development cycles and Live Service glitches to selling off Western properties and promoting NFTs, it hasn’t been an easy ten years for Square Enix. Criticism of the company has been fairly common – at least from our perspective, here in the hardcore gaming space – and ultimately it’s hard to ignore the fall of Babylon and even more recent missteps like Forspoken.

As indicated, many have also questioned the company’s massive 2022 sale to Embracer Group, which saw Square Enix cut most of its western studios and properties – such as Tomb Raider and Deus Ex – has been let loose for a surprisingly low $300 million.