Final Fantasy Tactics, Vagrant Story designer leaves Level-5

Roughly a year after joining Professor Layton developer Level-5, game designer Yasumi Matsuno has announced he's retiring from the company. The designer, best known for his work on Final Fantasy Tactics and Vagrant Story, cited personal reasons for his departure and said he would be "taking a break."

"I'm sorry to report, but due to personal reasons, next month I'll be retiring from Level-5," he said in a translated tweet (via GI.biz). "Even though it was for a short period of time, I was able to work hard without any gross mistakes. I am extremely grateful for the gift of genial teaching I received from everyone. Over and over again, thank you so much. I plan on taking a break for a while. I'm very thankful to have your support from now on."

He also said that due to recent domestic international releases of Crimson Shroud, now is "a good point time-wise for me to retire." He didn't give indication of what he plans to do next.