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11h ago

The Chinese Room Completes Management Buyout to Regain Independence

Financed through internal revenues, the Brighton studio embarks on a lineup of original projects with Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 due in October.

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Still Wakes the Deep, The Chinese Room’s psychological horror title set on an isolated oilrig off the coast of Scotland, won the Bafta game award for best new intellectual property
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Overview

  • The Chinese Room’s leadership finalised a buyout from Tencent-owned Sumo Digital on July 21, restoring full studio autonomy.
  • Studio director Ed Daly confirmed the acquisition was funded entirely through existing revenues and projected earnings without bank debt or external investors.
  • The deal overturns Sumo Digital’s February strategy shift to a development-for-hire model and revives the studio’s commitment to proprietary intellectual property.
  • Hiro Capital advised on the transaction, positioning the Brighton-based team to develop new original IP and partner selectively on other projects.
  • The studio is finalising its co-development of Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 with Paradox Interactive for an October 2025 release.