Naoki Yoshida, the iconic producer behind the beloved Final Fantasy 14 and Final Fantasy 16, has been officially removed from Square Enix’s board of directors as of March 3, 2025. The change follows Yoshida’s own apparent desire to step away from corporate responsibilities, opting instead to focus on his true passion: game development.
First tracking the news, Automaton Media found Yoshida’s demotion listed among recent changes to Square Enix's executive structure. While he remains on the company's executive list, his removal from the board indicates either his own decision or potential pressure stemming from the performance of Final Fantasy 16, which did not meet Square Enix's sales expectations upon its release.
Yoshida's statement back in 2023 still resonates: “I don’t want to be on the board, it’s much more fun to just make games,” he shared with the Dutch publication NRC. This sentiment sheds light on his changing role within the company, as he previously expressed frustration with the constraints of board activity, instead wishing to dedicate his time to creative projects.
Having joined Square Enix back in 2005, Yoshida made quite the name for himself as he rose through the ranks. His appointment as executive officer occurred after the successful relaunch of Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn in 2015—a move recognized as pivotal to reviving the MMORPG and bringing it to its current thriving state.
The most recent expansion of Final Fantasy 14, titled Dawntrail, was released last year and marked the highest number of concurrent players since the game’s original launch. More impressively, Yoshida reported this surge, stating it achieved record numbers across all platforms since its initial conception, which started as a troubled title before his leadership helped steer it toward success.
Despite this success, the recent performance of Final Fantasy 16 has added tension. Following its 2023 launch, the title’s sales figures fell below Square Enix’s expectations, leaving some to speculate about the impact of this underperformance on Yoshida’s board status. Nonetheless, the failure wasn’t reflected across the entire company. Thanks to the positive reception of games like the Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D remaster, which launched on multiple platforms—including PC and console—in November 2024, Square Enix reported rising operating profits. This title undoubtedly contributed to alleviating what could have been a rough fiscal quarter for the gaming giant.
Beyond the boardroom changes, Yoshida continues to influence the gaming community as he heads up Square Enix’s Creative Business Unit 3. That team is currently hard at work on the next major patch for Final Fantasy 14, which is set to introduce players to new dungeons, raid bosses, and other engaging content later this month.
Looking forward, Yoshida seems ready to embrace this recent shift fully, focusing on what he loves. With Square Enix hinting at more multiplatform releases for forthcoming titles, it seems Yoshida's path will remain brightly illuminated. This was echoed by fellow producer Yoshinori Kitase, who noted the company's need to widen its audience, stating, "it’s clear we can’t be exclusive to a single platform.”
Yoshida’s departure from the board signals both personal choice and possibly corporate strategy. Whether this transition means Yoshida will enjoy the freedom he craves remains to be seen, but for fans of the Final Fantasy franchise, his continued involvement heralds exciting possibilities. The evolution of Yoshida's role and his projects at Square Enix may lead to fresh innovations and experiences for gamers worldwide.