Matsuda has been with the company for several years and has been a vocal proponent of blockchain gaming. His successor will be Takashi Kiryu, who joined Square Enix in 2020 and currently serves as chief strategy officer.

Reshaping the Management Team

In a statement, Square Enix said that the decision to appoint Kiryu as president was aimed at "reshaping the management team with the goal of adopting ever-evolving technological innovations and maximizing the creativity of the company’s group." The company has faced challenges in recent years, with several high-profile releases failing to meet sales forecasts.

Shift to Blockchain Gaming

Square Enix has shifted its focus to blockchain gaming, launching its first NFT game Symbiogenesis last year. The company has chosen the Polygon blockchain for the game and has collaborated with major brands like Starbucks and Reddit. Square Enix is also a node operator for the Japanese gaming-focused blockchain Oasys network and has invested in the bitcoin-focused payment protocol Zebedee.

Future Direction

Square Enix will continue its shift toward blockchain gaming with Kiryu's appointment following Matsuda's departure. The company's first NFT game received mixed reactions from the community, but its choice of Polygon as its blockchain partner could help it gain traction with web3 communities. As the industry continues to evolve, Square Enix's focus on technological innovation could help it stay ahead of the curve and continue delivering entertainment to its customers worldwide.

About Square Enix

Square Enix is a Japanese video game developer and publisher. The company was founded in 2003 by merging two separate companies, Square and Enix. They are most known for their RPG franchises, including Dragon Quest, Final Fantasy, and Kingdom Hearts. In addition to video games, Square Enix further produces manga, anime, and other forms of media.