Key Takeaways:
- The Chinese Room has officially split from Sumo Digital through a management buyout backed by Hiro Capital.
- Two original games are now in development, showcasing the studio’s renewed focus on creative IPs.
- Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 is still scheduled for release in October 2025 despite earlier layoffs.
British game developer The Chinese Room—known for narrative-driven titles like Still Wakes the Deep—has officially become an independent studio following a management buyout. After months of uncertainty stemming from parent company Sumo Digital’s restructuring and layoffs, the studio now looks to the future with renewed focus on creativity and autonomy.
Layoffs and Uncertainty Push the Studio Toward Independence
In June 2025, The Chinese Room confirmed it was hit by layoffs, affecting at least nine staff members. The cuts were part of wider corporate restructuring at Sumo Digital and sparked concern over the future of key projects like Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2. While Bloodlines 2 is still slated for release in October 2025, the layoffs raised red flags about long-term stability—ultimately accelerating the studio’s push to go independent.
Sumo Digital had also signaled a strategic shift away from developing original IPs, prompting fears that The Chinese Room would be relegated to support work or sold off. That uncertainty was a key motivator for the studio’s leadership to reclaim control of its future.
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Management Buyout Backed by Hiro Capital
The Chinese Room’s newfound independence was made possible by a management buyout, supported by venture capital firm Hiro Capital. Studio director Ed Daly told IGN that the buyout allows the company to be “developer-owned” and focus on crafting “new, original intellectual property.” The decision to separate from Sumo aligns with the studio’s creative ethos and ensures more control over its direction and projects.
Two New Games in Development
Alongside its announcement of independence, The Chinese Room also revealed it has two new games in the works. While details remain scarce, the projects are expected to be original IPs—marking a fresh chapter for the studio. Meanwhile, Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2, which The Chinese Room took over in 2023, remains on track for an October 2025 release.
A Win for Creative Autonomy in a Shifting Industry
The Chinese Room’s buyout comes amid a turbulent period for the gaming industry, where layoffs and consolidation have become increasingly common. As major players like Microsoft continue to downsize and restructure, smaller studios often face existential threats. The move by The Chinese Room signals a hopeful shift toward creative and operational independence for mid-sized developers.
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