Approximately three months ago, Sega of America’s office in San Francisco, CA laid off many of its employees for the reconstructing of the company itself in its efforts to focus on digital gaming and less of the physical distribution of boxed titles. The time has now come for Sega Europe to take its turn on the making changes needed for the new arrangement by which in this case-locking its doors.

Here is a translated press release from Sega of Germany on the topic:

LONDON, 28th of June 2012: SEGA® Europe, Ltd. confirms that the company wants to concentrate on new and existing digital products in the future from now and as well as important IPs due to the recent restructurings. Because of this SEGA has reformed their strategies and closes the departments in Germany, Spain, Australia, France and the Benelux.

Koch Media will continue the publishing of retail products by SEGA in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France and Spain. Level03 and 5 Star Games will take over publishing in Benelux countries and Australia. These changes will get active on 1st of July.
In all other territories structures will remain. They will be – like Koch, Level03 Distribution and 5 Star games – managed by the European head quarter in London.

“SEGA is at the begin of a new and exciting phase. The company will set its main focus on contents with strong and balanced IPs such as Sonic the Hedgehog, Total War, Football Manager and the Aliens license” said Jürgen Post, COO at SEGA Europe. “SEGA will find advantages with the proper mix of digital products as well as retails products and follows a strict strategy. We look forward to a successful future.”

Sega offices in Spain, Germany, Australia, France, and Benelux are all set to close by the end of this week. Sega is playing a risky hand in letting go several workers which could cost them dearly if their initial plan comes out empty-handed, however it appears that they have an idea as to what they are doing.