http://ps2.ign.com/articles/638/638050p1.html

http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/08/01/news_6130121.html
FFXII producer steps down

Square Enix cites health issues for Yasumi Matsuno's departure; Akitoshi 
Kawazu takes over as producer for upcoming PS2 RPG.
TOKYO--Square Enix announced today that Final Fantasy XII producer Yasumi 
Matsuno will be stepping down from his position due to complications with 
his health. An official statement by Square Enix revealed that the seasoned 
producer has been ill for a while. However, he will remain on the project as 
a supervisor. Taking over as executive producer will be Akitoshi Kawazu, an 
experienced director best known for the SaGa series.


Even before E3, rumors about Matsuno's absence from Square had been 
circulating, but this is the first time the company has publicly confirmed 
his status.

"Final Fantasy XII's development producer Yasumi Matsuno has left his 
position to recover from his illness, and he is currently working as a 
supervisor [on the game]. His roles in the project are being passed on to 
the section leaders, and our development staff is working hard on its 
production. The game is just one step away from completion, so please look 
forward to it. We are confident that we will deliver a Final Fantasy beyond 
everybody's imagination on March 16," commented Square Enix in its public 
statement.

Matsuno also released a statement: "To all the fans that have been waiting 
for the release of Final Fantasy XII, I'm sorry that its development has 
been taking an extremely long time. I unfortunately will have to take a step 
away from the production scene, but the game is progressing in its 
development under the hands of excellent staffs, including Minagawa, Ito, 
and Akiyama."

Square Enix's announcement came just one day after the Square Enix Party 
2005, where it showed off Final Fantasy XII in a playable format for the 
first time to the public.

The current Final Fantasy XII staff is as follows:

Executive Producer
Akitoshi Kawazu


Original Concept/ Scenario Plot/ Supervision
Yasumi Matsuno


Director
Hiroyuki Ito
Hiroshi Minagawa


Chief Programmer
Takashi Katano


Art Direction
Hideo Minaba
Isamu Kamikokuryou


Character Design
Akihiko Yoshida


Battle Design
Kazutoyo Maehiro


Event Direction
Jun Akiyama


Movie Director
Eiji Fujii


Supervisor
Taku Murata


Composer
Hitoshi Sakimoto


By Hirohiko Niizumi -- GameSpot
POSTED: 08/01/05 11:29 AM PST


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