Sega has laid off a number of staff at its Western mobile division, Sega Networks Inc., including a large chunk of its San Francisco-based studio, Three Rings Design, which appears to have been largely shuttered as part of the shift.

Three Rings is a self-contained studio that works within the Sega family, and is responsible for a number of PC and mobile titles including Puzzle Pirates, Spellwood, and Corpse Craft. 

Details on the reductions, including the number of people let go, are scarce, although in a statement given to VentureBeat Sega blamed the layoffs on "hyper-competitive" market conditions. 

"In response to challenging and hyper-competitive mobile market conditions, Sega Networks Inc., Sega’s mobile division in the West, has refocused its operations and made a reduction in workforce," Sega told VentureBeat. 

"As a result, we said goodbye to our talented friends and colleagues at Three Rings Design Inc. alongside a small number of team members on the publishing side of Sega’s mobile division."