Sega: 420 Jobs Cut, Phasing Out Console Support, Focus on PC Digital & Smartphones, More Sonic

[6souls]

300 NA / 120 JP, San Fran office being closed and NA headquarters being moved to SoCal

Sega has announced plans to reorganize itself in a round of cuts that will include the closure of its San Francisco U.S. base.

The company today stated that it would be "downsizing" in order to "establish a structure which can constantly generate profits." Around 300 jobs are likely to be lost, as the firm moves to focus its energies on digital PC and smartphone releases as well as merchandising around the Sonic brand.

"Local organizations managing packaged game software in Western markets will be streamlined," stated a financial release. "In the U.S., Sega of America, based in San Francisco will be relocated to Southern California by this summer and its existing office in San Francisco will be closed thereafter, which results in reducing fixed expenses, mainly in corporate functions. In addition, the Sonic and merchandising businesses will be reinforced to establish a structure which can generate stable profits."

http://www.polygon.com/2015/1/30/795...s-massive-cuts
http://fs.magicalir.net/tdnet/2015/6...0130014909.pdf

[Brill Weave]

Well so much for Valkyria Chronicles 4 and the Yakuza titles. Fuck you Sega.

[Insanecyclone]

PC focus? Then that means PSO2!

[6souls]

In their Japanese financial report, Sega stated that they will also be cutting 120 jobs there.

[Insanecyclone]

Damn.

[Elcura]

PC focus means more Football Manager, Total War and Company of Heroes. SEGA's PC line up isn't something that's terribly exciting.

[Destinye]

Long as they leave my PSO2 alone I don't care what they do.

[falseliberty]

300 people losing jobs ; ; jesus
BUT wtf is going on over there didn't they announce that last jrpg that was ported to steam sold very well?

[SephYuyX]

On par for terrible.

[Lucavi]

Mobile phones will always embrace you, Sega. Go make more fluffy kitten cute moeblob pixel phone games. Good riddance.

[Qalbert]

wonder what this means for Atlus

[samalis]

wonder what this means for Atlus

Sega Sammy bought atlus, sega corporation is just a small part of sega sammy and the one having trouble. Doubt it will change anything with Atlus

[Lucavi]

wonder what this means for Atlus

Don't even. Mina would probably carpet bomb the Sega HQ if anything happened.

[Qalbert]

Sega Sammy bought atlus, sega corporation is just a small part of sega sammy and the one having trouble. Doubt it will change anything with Atlus

ah ok

[vagus]

I blame apple. Stupid Iphone.

[Kirin]

Sega sells Valkyria Chronicles IP to Atlus.
Atlus makes VC4.
Sega leases Sonic game rights to Nintendo.
Nintendo manages to replicate Sonic1-3+Knuckles success.
Sega has fun with PC titles.

Please happen.

[Brill Weave]

Please happen.

FUCK YOU I GOT EXCITED AND THEN I READ THAT PART! YOU'RE ON NOTICE!

[notorious bum]

Sega sells Valkyria Chronicles IP to Atlus.
Atlus makes VC4.
Sega leases Sonic game rights to Nintendo.
Nintendo manages to replicate Sonic1-3+Knuckles success.
Sega has fun with PC titles.

Please happen.

Wii can only Dream.





Cast.

[Cream Soda]

Thanks, Obama

[6souls]

Sega Networks acquires Demiurge Studios (Cambridge, Massachusetts), invests in Ignited Artists (San Francisco, California) and Space Ape Games (London, England)
http://image.noelshack.com/fichiers/...works-logo.png

SEGA Networks is proud to announce a trio of investments aimed at bolstering its foothold in the Western market. First, it has acquired Demiurge Studios, the independent game maker out of Cambridge, Massachusetts. It also has established a majority share in San Francisco-based Ignited Artists, a gaming start-up currently prototyping their first title. Additionally, SEGA Networks has made a strategic investment in UK-based gaming studio Space Ape Games. A top five publisher in Japan, SEGA Networks is investing heavily in the West and with its latest acquisitions and investments, the publisher is further leveraging its global footprint.

“We’re constantly evaluating the independent mobile game space for studios that fit our vision of fun, high-quality gameplay experiences,” said Haruki Satomi, CEO of SEGA Networks. “Demiurge underscores our commitment to investing in the West and complements our current roster of US and European mobile studios, including Three Rings and Hardlight. In addition, our strategic investments in Ignited Artists and Space Ape Games solidifies our commitment to publishing quality games across the globe.”

Founded in 2002, Demiurge Studios made the transition into mobile gaming in 2008 and found success with Marvel Puzzle Quest, a top 100 grossing app on the App Store and top 50 grossing on Google Play. Previously, they worked with world-class developers like BioWare and Irrational Games on AAA console and PC games. CEO Albert Reed will be joining SEGA Networks as VP of Product Management while also retaining his title of studio head. Demiurge Studios is based in the Boston area and will continue to make games under the Demiurge Studios name.

"Demiurge and SEGA share a vision for the future of mobile gaming: putting gamers first," said Albert Reed, GM of Demiurge Studios and VP of Product Management at SEGA Networks. "In today's mobile games you must listen to your players and find new ways to keep them engaged. Our success with Marvel Puzzle Quest comes from our focus on iterative design and testing, with our players in mind. Joining SEGA Networks lets us align with a truly global partner that shares our approach to design, so together we can create the kinds of entertaining, fun and engaging games we all want to make."

SEGA Networks has also made a majority investment in Ignited Artists, an independent mobile gaming studio based in San Francisco, led by chief executive Danielle Deibler, former Activision vice president Alessandro Tento, and Mobile Gaming Hall of Fame inducted-designer Scott Foe. The three gaming veterans, currently developing their debut title, combines over four decades of experience at companies like Kixeye, Big Head Mode, Nokia, Activision Blizzard, EA, Microsoft Game Studios, and SEGA.

“Our world-class team benefits greatly from the marketing prowess and global publishing arm of SEGA Networks,” said Danielle Deibler, CEO of Ignited Artists. “With this partnership, we have the opportunity to develop properties on our own terms alongside a partner with a proven track record and shared vision.”

Rounding out the investments is a minority stake in UK-based Space Ape Games, and a partnership in which SEGA Networks helps bring select Space Ape titles to the Japanese market. SEGA Networks is a global leader in the mobile space where they have found success with games like Puyo Puyo!! Quest, Chain Chronicle, Sonic Dash, and Crazy Taxi City Rush.

"We are delighted to partner with a company with the gaming pedigree of SEGA," says Space Ape CEO and Founder John Earner. "Our last release, Samurai Siege, was a success in the Japanese mobile market. Japan is now our second-largest market and contributes around a third of our revenues. With SEGA Network’s experience and record of success, we are confident that Rival Kingdoms, our next game, and future titles will be able to improve upon this success."

Along with the minority stake in Space Ape Games and the majority share of Ignited Artists, Demiurge will join Three Rings Studio (2011) and Hardlight Studio (2012) as SEGA Networks continues to expand their global reach.