Yoichi Wada
- Born:
- May 28, 1959, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
- Nationality:
- Japanese
- Profession(s):
- Business Executive
Early Life and Education
- Graduated from the Faculty of Law at the University of Tokyo.
Career and Major Achievements
- Joined Square Co., Ltd. (later Square Enix) in 1984.
- Served as President and CEO of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd. from 2000 to 2013.
- Oversaw the merger of Square Co., Ltd. and Enix Corporation in 2003.
- During his tenure, Square Enix released numerous successful titles, including entries in the Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest series.
Notable Works
Yoichi Wada played a significant role in overseeing the development and publication of numerous video games during his time at Square Enix. While not directly credited as a developer, his leadership was instrumental.
| Title | Series | Year | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Final Fantasy X | Final Fantasy | 2001 | President (Square) |
| Final Fantasy XI | Final Fantasy | 2002 | President (Square) |
| Kingdom Hearts | Kingdom Hearts | 2002 | President (Square) |
| Final Fantasy XII | Final Fantasy | 2006 | President & CEO (Square Enix) |
| Final Fantasy XIII | Final Fantasy | 2009 | President & CEO (Square Enix) |
Legacy and Impact
Yoichi Wada's tenure as CEO of Square Enix saw both significant successes and challenges for the company. He guided the company through the difficult transition to HD game development and oversaw the release of numerous major titles. Considering the vast reach of modern gaming and its impact on culture, a future work focusing on figures such as a 'yoichi wada biography of barack' era game industry executive may provide valuable insight.