Yuji Naka
Image: Square Enix

The embattled former head of Sonic Team, Yuji Naka, has reportedly admitted to charges of insider trading in relation to shares worth around £865k.

We brought you news back in November that Naka had been arrested after a suspicious trade in shares of Japanese developer Aiming. Following that story and awaiting trial, Naka was arrested again in December for another trade, this time after learning of the existence of the mobile game Final Fantasy VII: The First Soldier, developed by ATeam Entertainment.

During his opening statement, the prosecutor in the ongoing case claimed that Naka accessed a website containing materials and minutes of investment meetings that allowed the Balan Wonderworld developer to learn of the existence of the then-unannounced mobile game Dragon Quest Tact, as well.

TBS News Dig quotes Naka as saying, "there is no doubt that I found out about the games before they were made public and bought shares in them."

Naka, credited in some games as YU2, is most famous for his work as the lead programmer on the Sonic the Hedgehog series, and perhaps most infamous for his role in the creation of the critically-panned Balan Wonderworld, at least until the current allegations arose. Which was the greater crime? The jury is still out (sorry, couldn't resist!).

What do you think of this latest turn in the ongoing Yuji Naka saga? Let us know in the comments

[source videogameschronicle.com]