British Studio Gains Independence
The British studio known as The Chinese Room, which has made a name for itself through titles like Still Wakes the Deep, Dear Esther, and Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture, has taken a significant step forward by breaking away from Sumo Digital. This marks the return of the studio to independence, following a management buyout that was supported by investment firm Hiro Capital.
A New Era of Creative Freedom
According to a spokesperson, the leadership team of The Chinese Room successfully completed the buyout, which allows the studio to operate independently. This move comes after Sumo Digital announced its strategic shift toward offering services to partners rather than focusing on developing its own games. With this change, The Chinese Room is now free to pursue its own creative vision without external constraints.
In addition to their upcoming project Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2, the studio has confirmed that it is currently working on two new projects. These developments signal an exciting phase for the company as it moves forward with fresh ideas and ambitious goals.
Expanding Collaborative Opportunities
Ed Daly, a key figure in the studio, shared his thoughts on the significance of the buyout. He emphasized that the transition enables the team to explore new and original intellectual properties while also being open to collaborations with other studios. “This management buyout allows us to satisfy our creative drive to work on new and original IPs,” Daly said. “But also to collaborate with other studios on projects that align with our vision. That’s what we’ve been doing and what we want to continue doing, so we’re very happy to move forward in this direction.”
Navigating Change and Restructuring
The future of The Chinese Room had appeared uncertain at one point, especially after several layoffs were reported by former employees on LinkedIn. Daly acknowledged the challenges faced during the transition, stating that the team was downsized as part of the process to secure the studio’s future beyond Sumo. “The details are confidential, but the studio currently has 55 developers. It was definitely a difficult process, as we were trying to secure the studio’s future beyond Sumo.”
Despite these challenges, the studio has no plans for further layoffs at this time. This stability is crucial as the team looks ahead to the next chapter of its journey.
Looking Ahead
With a renewed sense of independence and a clear focus on creativity and collaboration, The Chinese Room is well-positioned to continue producing innovative and compelling games. The support from Hiro Capital ensures that the studio has the resources needed to explore new opportunities and maintain its reputation as a leader in the gaming industry. As they move forward, fans and industry observers alike will be watching closely to see what new projects emerge from this talented team.
