The Chinese Room is independent again! Still Wakes the Deep horror authors have bought themselves out of Sumo Digital and are already preparing new games
The Chinese Room, the British indie studio behind last year's horror film Still Wakes the Deep and the critically acclaimed Dear Esther and Everybody's Gone to the Rapture, has officially severed ties with its former parent company Sumo Digital. This marks a new era for the creative team, who are taking the reins back into their own hands.
Here's What We Know
A representative of The Chinese Room confirmed to IGN that the studio has completed a management buyout. The news comes after several months of uncertainty for the Brighton-based studio, as Sumo had previously announced that it would be refocusing its efforts "solely on development services for partners" rather than continuing to work on original franchises.
In a press statement, The Chinese Room said that it was becoming "increasingly likely" that the company would be sold to Sumo Digital, likely to a private equity firm or other overseas buyer - Sumo itself was acquired by Chinese giant Tencent in 2018.
Instead, The Chinese Room will now operate as an independent entity led by studio director Ed Daly, following a deal facilitated by venture capital firm Hiro Capital.
Following the launch of Still Wakes the Deep and the release of the Siren's Rest DLC last month, The Chinese Room now has two new IPs in development.
However, the next one to be released will be the long-awaited Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2, which is due to be published by Paradox Interactive this October.
Source: IGN
