Square Enix performs executive shuffle

John Yamamoto replaces Yoichi Wada as North American CEO, also named as company's new president.

Square Enix shook up its executive ranks yesterday, as it promoted John Yamamoto, the head of its European operations to CEO and president of the North American business. Yamamoto replaces former president Daishiro Okada, who was named vice chairman of the company, and former CEO Yoichi Wada. Wada will remain president and representative director for the global operation of Square Enix.

With almost two decades of experience in the industry, Yamamoto will continue handling the president and CEO duties of the company's European subsidiary. In his new role as vice chairman, Okada will "lead the strategic development and implementation of Square Enix's North American corporate initiatives and business development."

153 Comments

  • DoctorFu

    Posted Apr 21, 2007 1:37 am PT

    Profit-wise, the smart thing would be to release to the 360 as well. I have a feeling this shuffling of the CEO positions is the preparation.

  • somestupidloser

    Posted Apr 20, 2007 8:31 pm PT

    http://www.ps3center.net/story-394.html It doesn't look credible, but, it says that Square Confirmed that FF:XIII will come out on other systems as well has the ps3... god I hope this is true. As much as I love Final Fantasy, I'm not willing to shell out 500$ along with it.

  • matrixman2k

    Posted Apr 20, 2007 6:36 pm PT

    Maybe i misread the article but what does CEO shuffle have to do with finalfantasy... Still these lot have made my day - can't contain myself with laughter - you have got to love some of these zombies... ha ha ha .... The funny thing is they're completely oblivious to ENIX's titles... The other lot just want a FF game for their 360, not realising ff-online (eleven) is the only thing they'll probably ever get and for the wii lot crystal chronicle.

    That about sums it up and of course no matter what blog and other internet rumour is started by some guy thinking this is his wish list to santa (even though we're nearing middle of the year), still there might be a slight chance for SE to take a little notice but doubtful they would do a U-turn in their strategies...

  • mehoff88

    Posted Apr 20, 2007 3:43 pm PT

    Why would they put people in charge in North America who cant even really speak engrish??? oops i mean english

  • Lumenadducere

    Posted Apr 20, 2007 11:45 am PT

    Not so much of a shuffle as promotions, but okay.

    And yes, the various flaming and the like is pointless, people - you're not going to change anyone's mind by acting like a child online.

  • goodemon

    Posted Apr 20, 2007 11:27 am PT

    somestupidloser---what an appropriate title

  • O_OdazX_X

    Posted Apr 20, 2007 10:53 am PT

    Wooooowwww!!! The comments here are way OTT, dudes calm down! Effeminate characters? Are there so normal people and teenagers (FFs biggest market) can easily relate to them, they're 'metrosexual' as is the trend of today.

    Best FF ever? There's never going to be ONE answer to this because people have different tastes! FFVII is a great game, but the only reason it has a reputation of 'the best FF ever' is because it is the first FF many fans played (including me) and it made FF what it is today. I personally love em all but FFIX is my fave (so much personality). I didn't like XII as much due to its lack of mad storyline and characters but it had brill system and gameplay.

    PS3 vs 360? As in every other forum on this whole site i can't even be bothered to comment on it as I only own a Wii and just got my 360 this week. 360 impressed the hell outta me so far but the ps3 looks to be massive come 08 so its really too early to tell if square will need to bother making a port. I doubt they will though, they're very proud of what they've done with the ps3's engine and i doubt the 360 could show off want they want to be honest. A nice long game o wait and see i think is in order.

  • AceCometh

    Posted Apr 20, 2007 10:39 am PT

    I just want FFXIII on the Xbox 360.

  • MSG-Deathscythe

    Posted Apr 20, 2007 5:22 am PT

    somini: nope, i didn't mean it that way. my comment probably didn't sound the way i intended it. i didn't mean to implicate that samus was gay what i wanted to say was that if a MAN plays with a male, female, animal or whatever character, he should not be concerned of how it reflects his own sexuality. in other words, if you are a man who enjoys tomb raider, just do it. it does not mean that you want to be lara croft.

  • Roushrsh

    Posted Apr 19, 2007 9:14 pm PT

    cant wait for FF versus 13 ... just have to get me the PS3 first... have the money just need to find the right time to use it

  • somestupidloser

    Posted Apr 19, 2007 6:50 pm PT

    I wouldn't call Samus gay Metroid has it's moments, wile MGS, Halo, and Devil May Cry are just pure garbage (actually exclude MGSs 1 and 2. 3 was the one that sucked an unfathomable amount of various objects)

  • Somini

    Posted Apr 19, 2007 4:20 pm PT

    MSG-Deathscythe:

    "so whether you are playing as master chief, samus or daxter, you should not be concerened if you are straight, gay or if you are some kind of rodent."

    That sounded like you meant that Master Chief is straight, Samus Aran is GAY and Daxter is a rodent. You must have seen something in the Metroid games that I haven't, lol.

  • orionamra

    Posted Apr 19, 2007 7:57 am PT

    I'm backup Sony 100% but I'm not worry about this. I think FFXIII and FFvsXIII don't come to x360 because it's design is for PS3. I think is another game from Fantasy Nova Crystalis is already coming to 360 and that's all.
    Even if it's coming to 360 don't worry me because they have to cut some graphics and put in more than one disc

  • MSG-Deathscythe

    Posted Apr 19, 2007 2:37 am PT

    i agree with Dawnll. whoever started this "effeminate male FF characters" thread definitely has problems with his sexuality. these are just game characters! what matters is whether they are fun. so whether you are playing as master chief, samus or daxter, you should not be concerened if you are straight, gay or if you are some kind of rodent. just enjoy the game.

  • somestupidloser

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 5:55 pm PT

    I really wish that they made a sequel to the Bouncer, the potential of a good game was there, but not being able to even run around between fights and being led by cut scenes really hurt the game. Adding more combos and moves would help too.

  • TRH4469

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 2:59 pm PT

    you know that FF13 is going to be on x360 too.

  • kuza_9999

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 2:02 pm PT

    I wonder why everyone see this as a solid reason for Square to take exclusivity off of some of their games?

  • DawnII

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 1:52 pm PT

    Enough of this effeminate men talk. Final Fantasy has had feminine appearing men since the beginning, yes even 1. Have you seen the original character sketches done by Yoshitaka Amano? His art style is very light, subtle, and airy, giving everything a very feminine feel. So Final Fantasy has basically been effeminate from the beginning. Nuff said.

  • decoy1978

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 1:50 pm PT

    FF MMO was a giant let down. That piece of log in front of you? Good luck trying to jump over it because you CAN'T! That pebble in your way as an enemy chases you, best of luck to you cause you can't walk over it either!

  • calebhawkins

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 1:47 pm PT

    FFXII certainly didn' t have the best story/characters ever, nor the best soundtrack (we'll miss you, Uematsu), but it did have the best gameplay, the deepest combat, and the highest production values of any of the series so far.

    I don't know why FFVIII gets so much hate. The gameplay is a little annoying today (Drawing magic and jamming the square buttons for summons = not fun), but it's story and main characters (Rinoa, Squal, Laguna, Raine) are the most complex thematically and motivation-wise (as opposed to 6 and 7, which boiled down to a bunch of anime jibberish), and it has the best soundtrack of any of the series.

  • Stammalamma

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 1:43 pm PT

    Hmmmm . . . I sense the potent stench of more exclusivity losses.

  • kornopolis

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 1:18 pm PT

    Not to mention that Square has said it is impressed with the sucess of the Wii, Kingdom Hearts for Wii anyone?

  • skyman_1981

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 1:12 pm PT

    Junctioning magic=cool, drawing magic=not cool FF6 was their best game and ff7 was their last good game.

  • CWEBB04z

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 1:11 pm PT

    Final Fantasy is so overrated, I personally don't like RPG's but I could care less about the 360 getting Final Fantasy.

    But Switching up the personnel is interesting though...

  • kornopolis

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 1:10 pm PT

    So I guess its safe to say no matter what console you have this Gen you can expect a release of FF on it. Though I do hope square end this weird thing they have for feminine male characters, Ever since FFX, all I've been seeing is a bunch of panzies. Especially FFXII, was that even a guy?

  • Mr_Abandon

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 1:08 pm PT

    is 360 going to get FF?

  • ghsacidman

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 12:56 pm PT

    FF8 didn't start the downward slope... 11 did. Hopefully, they'll never make another MMO again.

  • Sonovius

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 12:49 pm PT

    if final fantasy is on a downward slope then why does a 'which ff is best' thread start every hour every $$$$ing day of every $$$$ing week of the year? Believe it or not mine is 10. 2nd is 12. iknocrazyrite?

    sheesh give it a rest people everyone has their favorite it matters not it will sell millions for years to come.

  • z4twenny

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 12:00 pm PT

    yeah i'm not arguing as to which is best, i can understand everyone likes a different FF, thats cool, to each his own. i just feel personally that since 8 they've been on a downward slope. i loved 1-7, 8 was ok 9 wasn't that great, 10 looked nice, 12 looked nice.... but i'll take fun gameplay over pretty graphics any day. hell i still go back and play FF 1 !!! thats right, ONE, because its still fun to this day. come on SKWENIX
    i do agree with a poster below, far too many characters are effiminate males..... gimme another Auron looking dude that kicks a$$.

  • DoctorFu

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 11:58 am PT

    kelindas02: Those exclusives lost seems to back up my point that Sony should create new exclusive titles.

    chadstew: PS3 imitate the 360's great ideas and features so it can compete? Exactly.

    barne1dr: Fem-men are a bad trend we've seen Square go with recently. Even Zidane from FF9 was pushing it for me.

    One point I forgot to mention earlier is that just because a game isn't exclusive doesn't mean each game will be the same. Fans of the series might have reasons to buy both.

  • anarchicgoth

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 11:55 am PT

    hmmm how about bringing the new FF's to 360?

  • Sonovius

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 11:29 am PT

    which final fantasy is best arguement. original and really has a point.

  • arucard1086

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 11:24 am PT

    everyone's entitled to their own opinion, and granted XII was better than X. however, in my eyes Final Fantasy is definitely losing its magic.

  • Kcube

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 11:11 am PT

    arucard1086 I dont agree,FF12 was a lot of fun and really captured the essence of Final Fantasy

  • arucard1086

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 11:10 am PT

    more wrong? Final Fantasy has been on a downward slope since X, I really don't see what the big deal is anymore.

  • barne1dr

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 10:46 am PT

    Did this conversation ever relate to the article ?...but anyway - I'll continue off-topic as well

    dynomitemasta brings up a great point for me. SE's love for fem-men really doesn't work for me. I love final fantasy...but it's no one's fantasy to be a fighter who more resembles a 13 year old girl than a hard ass soldier. I'm disappointed in their characters lately, and more so in their voice acting selections (which I was never a big fan of because it forces a personality on you rather than allowing you to use your own imagination - those should come with an on/off switch) As for the "console war".....get over it. Games are the meat of the industry; everything else is secondary. I'm partial to computer games because they're relatively free of this useless political bs (with the exemption of Mac vs. PC....which is kind of a moot point considering the fact that Macs can run windows these days).

  • blackace

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 10:45 am PT

    I don't really care about the bigwigs at SquareEnix. I care about what games will be coming to the U.S. and on what platform. This news is pretty useless to gamers.

  • Sidbob

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 10:44 am PT

    Its no big secret that Insomniac only produce games for Sony, they are still 3rd party but I dont think they see eye to eye with a company like Microsoft.

    There is a blog up somewhere by the CEO that outlines just how much Insomniac likes Sony and the PS3.

  • chadstew

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 10:42 am PT

    So DoctorFu, what you're saying is that the ps3 should just immitate the 360?

  • kelindas02

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 10:40 am PT

    doctor fu: well sir, i can tell you.. a new ratchet and clank is coming out. Kingdom hearts is um square enix but supposedly one will be in the works shortly.. whether that game remains on the ps3 as an exclusive however, remains to be seen. and yes, a new katamari is in the mix, however, it's also coming to the 360. so... dunno. take it as you take it.

    so long as they come out for the ps3 as well. i'm straight.

  • nobeaner

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 10:35 am PT

    I imagine this is big news in Japan.

  • DoctorFu

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 10:27 am PT

    Eclipse_ShinRa, you sound like a fanboy yourself. Just because the PS3 isn't established doesn't mean it won't get a foot hold soon. The 360 floundered when it was first released also but it released quality games and blew everyone away with the new capabilities of Xbox Live.

    Sony just needs gets a couple of good system selling games (Metal Gear Solid!) and a better online program (one that actually charges so they can afford to make it better).

    However, the rumours of the PS3 cutting the backwards compatibility makes me extremely worried. The 360 emulators don't always work the same as the original and some of the oldest or less popular games still aren't supported and never will be. I think that cutting costs now for short term profits is a huge mistake and Sony should stick to their current plan. The one big addition is that they need to make an effort to create new exclusive titles (like all the greats from PS2). Maybe a new Ratchet and Clank game. How about some more Kingdom Hearts? Is a Katamari game in the mix? I'd go for a new Jak and Daxter game. God of War is a guaranteed seller. Also, all these titles must have online updates after they're released like the 360 has.

    Final Fantasy XIII could even be a new revolutionary half single player half online game like the newer Phantasy Star series. Even an online card game would work for me! Come on Square Enix, give us an online minigame; give us an online Triple Triad!

  • JimmeyBurrows

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 10:19 am PT

    why do you people care what console it goes to... just decide if you like the game or not, anywho whats this got to do with the game, it's about someone getting a promotion.
    p.s. huskerman, you just insulted my favurate game!!! and without even giving reasons as to your point, so yeah, you suck!

  • Eclipse_ShinRa

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 10:14 am PT

    BIGboss600

    FFVII wont be on the PS3 because they will be no remake.. Square said it would take around 5 years to do. So if was coming u have while to wait..

  • huskerman34

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 10:12 am PT

    They should pu t final fantasy on the 360. Final fantasy will never die. It makes too much money. The only bad ff would be 8. I thought 8 sucked really bad. I hope square enix will flood the games onto the nextgen consoles like the 360 and ps3. Screw the Wii and ds its next gen all the way. i dont think playing a kickbutt rpg with a remote control would be any good.

  • emorule

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 10:04 am PT

    Final Fantasy should have died at 12, really there just re-using old idea now! Also FF7 is good but so overrated, 6 8 9 are all better!

  • BIGboss600

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 10:01 am PT

    lol lol finalfantasy xiii and versus xiii on the xbox360 that will never happen and the ff remake on 7 will be on the ps3 if sony playes there cards right but maybe ff14 which comes out in 2011. but square might make a nes final fantasy downloadable on xboxlive. but not before they make one downloadable for the psn .its a Japaneses thing dont ask me lol

  • leapfrog91

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 9:59 am PT

    "Shinra is right. FFVII isn't the best FF, but the most overrated one of all. I think IV is better than VII. VII wasn't really that good in the first place."

    Some people prefer VI, some people prefer X, but of all the games FFVII still has the most supporters. A few forum comments doesn't mean that the grand truth is that it's "overrated" In my mind the story in FFVII is above and beyond all except VI - IV wasn't even close.

    BTW, I didn't even like OOT for some odd reason. But that sure doesn't mean I'm going to go around calling it overrated

  • a-man-called-e

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 9:40 am PT

    yeah but it could bring somehting else

  • iloveflash

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 9:35 am PT

    Who cares about which stinking console is better than the other? It's the games that count. And that's why developers are going multi-platform, because there's too much bickering amongst fanboys. They just want to please us all...

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