Sega Europe said today that as a result of a recent restructure, it is closing its offices in France, Germany, Spain, Australia, and Benelux.

“Sega is entering a new and exciting phase that will position the company as a content led organization maximizing sales with strong and balanced IP such as Sonic the Hedgehog, Total War, Football Manager and the Aliens franchise”, said Jurgen Post, COO of SEGA Europe. “The company will benefit from a clear focus and realigned strategy for our digital business and packaged goods and we are confident that this will lead to a successful future.”

According to a press release, Koch Media have been appointed to assist SEGA with distribution across Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France and Spain of packaged goods, Level03 Distribution and 5 Star Games will assist with distribution across Benelux and Australia respectively which will be implemented from July 1 2012.

Sega said all other territories will continue to run as before.

http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2012/06/28/sega-europe-restructures-closes-offices.aspx

these area lot of offices to shut down, i wonder how many employees will lose their jobs?

Sucks for the people who are losing their jobs, but the Sega with their new "four IPs" strategy can die as far as I'm concerned. (After The Cave comes out, at least.)

They just mean those 4 games will be retailed focused. They still plan making other games but they will most likely be digital. If that means SEGA will be comfortable with classic IP revival and gettin Yakuza over here without issue. Its not so bad.

I am pretty certain we can kiss Yakuza goodbye, unless Atlus or someone is interested in bringing it over and Sega will permit it.

You don't need that many local offices in Europe unless you are a huge publisher, which Sega never was.

Why? If its Digital SEGA has nothing lose.

I'd like to believe that, but their messaging just doesn't give reason for a lot of hope. If they were talking about how going digital would allow them to continue to do riskier games, I'd agree with you. But all they've done since this restructuring began is to bang on about SONIC N ALEINS HURRRRRR.

Would not mind a Sonic 'N Aliens crossover title. Just saying. 

That's one of their only mega sellers in a long time, and outside of Sonic they really don't have much else. Million sellers like Bayonetta are good, but not enough to carry the company.