The Chinese Room, creator ofStill Wakes the Deep, has regained its independence. The studio will continue to create new franchises following its separation from the Sumo Group. The lattersaidearlier this year, it has shifted focus from original games to collaborative development projects. Tencentpurchased the British studio Sumofor 1.27 billion dollars in 2021.
Game Developer reportedA VC firm named Hiro Capital helped the Chinese Room achieve its independence deal. Studio head Ed Daly stated to the publication on Monday that the company is willing to collaborate with other developers in the future.
Unfortunately, the studio’s positive news is marred by aall-too-familiar story. The studio confirmed toGame Developerthat it will cut an unknown number of employees as part of the separation. “After the divestment process, several positions were unfortunately eliminated,” a company representative stated. “The details are private, but the studio currently has 55 developers. This was a very challenging process as we looked for a future for the studio independent of Sumo. No further layoffs are expected as the studio continues forward.”
The “modern horror classic” Still Wakes the Deepisn’t everything the studio is famous for. The Chinese Room also createdLittle Orpheus, Everyone’s Gone to the Raptureand the original walking simulator,Dear Esther. The developer based in the UK is also working onVampire: The Masquerade — Bloodlines 2in collaboration with Paradox Interactive. The highly anticipated release has beenset to debut in October. The Chinese Room is also working on two other undisclosed titles.
“This management buyout enables us to satisfy our creative desire to continue developing new, original intellectual property while also collaborating with other studios on projects that align with our vision,” Daly said.Game Developer. “This is the approach we are taking, and we intend to continue with it, so we are content to keep going in this direction.”
