Along with announcing layoffs across a number of its UK-based studios, Sega has announced another notable shift for its Western business. Canadian studio Relic Entertainment is going back to being an independent studio, as it was for the first seven years of its life (until 2004).
“Sega is working closely with Relic on this shift, and we wish them the best for the future,” staff were told by Jurgen Post, the newly appointed head of Sega Europe (via GamesIndustry).
Relic Entertainment is known for its real-time strategy titles, and has worked on a number of notable titles in the genre over the years, including the Company of Heroes series, the Homeworld series, the Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War games, and Age of Empires 4. The studio was acquired by Sega in 2013, prior to which it was owned by THQ.
There’s currently no word on what the cost of the deal is, and specific details regarding how Relic Entertainment and Sega are divvying up the former’s IP, catalog titles, and future titles are currently unknown. Stay tuned for more updates.
