Three Rings

SEGA Networks confirms layoffs in the West, including Three Rings Design Inc.

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Screen Shot 2016-03-06 at 9.53.37 PMWe’re sad to report that there have been some layoffs at SEGA Networks’ mobile division in the West. As confirmed by VentureBeat, SEGA Networks has laid off an undisclosed number of employees which includes all of Three Rings Design Inc. (developers of PSO inspired MMO Spiral Knights for PC, and mobile games Spellwood and Corpse Craft) as well as a small number of team members on the publishing side of mobile.

The reason has been attributed to SEGA’s new focus in internally developed IP-based games, the localization of Japanese mobile games, and (I’m putting this in quotes as it is direct from SEGA Networks’ mouth, and I don’t quite understand it) “mass market view-per-play games designed to further Sega’s network strategy in the West.” SEGA also cites “challenging and hyper-competitive mobile market conditions” as a reason for the layoffs.

Regardless of the market conditions, being laid-off sucks and we here at SEGAbits wish nothing but the best for those employees affected.

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SEGA releases new Spiral Knight’s spin-off Rise of Knights

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Back in 2011 SEGA acquired Three Rings Studios, who would go on to release Spiral Knights, a free to play online RPG. It seems that SEGA has decided to bring back the franchise as a mobile game that is very similar to SEGA Japan’s Chain Chronicles. Not only in combat but the flow and structure of the game keeps making me think this is a Chain Chronicles reskin that was created to appeal to the players that play Spiral Knights.

The video above has like over 15 minutes of gameplay, basically giving you the whole idea of what the game is. Yes, Chain Chronicles x Spiral Knights. Its not a bad idea honestly, you can download it now if your on iDevices via iTunes. One last thing, doesn’t this game’s name sound like a Batman comic?

[Thanks max_cady]

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GDC 2013: The House of the Dead Overkill, Puzzle Pirates, and House of the Dead coming to iOS and Android

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Sonic the Hedgehog 1 & 2 remastered weren’t the only games on show at GDC 2013. SEGA has also revealed information and screens pertaining to a few existing and new mobile titles. First off is Puzzle Pirates from SEGA-owned developer Three Rings. Puzzle Pirates is a puzzle-based MMO with quite a history. Released back in 2003, this Java based browser game is considered by many to be one of the earliest free-to-play successes. Now, with SEGA in ownership of the developer Three Rings and the franchise, they’re setting their sights on an iOS and Android tablet release complete with touch screen optimization and the ability to play with the existing Mac, PC and Linux versions of the game. Also on show was SEGA’s other free-to-play browser game Godsrule: War of Mortals, which has iOS and Android versions planned for release this year and will support cross-platform play.

Finally, saving the best for last, SEGA has revealed an iOS and Android version of The House of the Dead: Overkill dubbed The House of the Dead Overkill: The Lost Reels. The game will not be a straight port, but rather a remix, repurposing characters and levels to suit mobile play. As for controls, SEGA has stated that the game will allow players to choose between a virtual joystick or the accelerometer, with tap to shoot being unlocked only after beating the game. Perhaps the developers found tap to play to be too easy? No price or date has been given, but if SEGA’s past mobile titles are any indication, we should expect a release very soon following this reveal. As for price, The House of the Dead Overkill: The Lost Reels will likely be priced between $2.99 and $4.99.

After the break, a gallery of images from the three mobile titles.

Continue Reading ➜

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Spiral Knights developer releases Spellwood to Android and iOS

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From the SEGA Blog comes news that Three Rings, the developer behind the awesome Spiral Knights,  has released Spellwood to Android and iOS devices. Spellwood is a Scrabble-style word puzzle game which offers up single player and two player modes. What makes the game unique, when compared to most other mobile titles in the genre, is that it has characters and a story mode with RPG elements as well as the aforementioned single player mode. In the single player mode, you play a fuzzy little word wizard who takes on over 90 adversaries with different levels and styles of play. Two player mode has you taking on friends as you would in any other mobile puzzle game. The game is priced at $1.99 and is now available on iOS for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch and Google Play for Android smartphones and tablets.

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Check out Three Rings’ office in this developer interview for Doctor Who: Worlds in Time

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Developer Three Rings was already working on Doctor Who: World in Time before SEGA purchased them and the publisher made no mention of the game based on the highly popular and critcially acclaimed science fiction show until today when SEGA posted on their official blog a behind the scenes interview with Daniel Jones of Three Rings. The video offers glimpses of some gameplay and of a very nicely fitted office for the developer themselves. Follow the source link below to find screenshots, wallpapers and artwork for Doctor Who: Worlds in Time featured all on SEGA’s official blog.

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Spiral Knights – Launch Trailer

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Check out the launch trailer for Spiral Knights!

Sega published and Three Rings developed Spiral Knights is out of beta and available now to everyone! The game is completely free to install and play. While the game does adopt a in game shop system where you pay real money it is entirely possible to play the game for free.

If you were ever a fan of Phantasy Star Online, then I suggest giving Spiral Knights a try. The game features real time combat and is easy to pick up and play. You can go from the log in screen to knee deep in battle with four companions in less than a minute! The enemies are inventive and the sound track deserves a special mention. It also has a unique system were you personally can effect the lay out of the levels!

The game is available to play on pretty much every operating system including Windows, Mac OS and Linux

If you want to try it out and you really have no excuse not to, you can get started at www.spiralknights.com

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