Thu. Jul 24th, 2025

The Chinese Room, the award-winning studio behind titles such as Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture and Dear Esther, has successfully completed a management buyout, allowing the company to regain its independence from Sumo Digital. This move marks a significant milestone for the studio, which has been a part of the Sumo Digital family since 2018. The management buyout was led by the studio’s co-founders, Jessica Curry and Dan Pinchbeck, who will continue to lead the company as it embarks on this new chapter. The Chinese Room is known for its innovative and critically acclaimed games, which often explore complex themes and emotions. With its newfound independence, the studio is poised to continue pushing the boundaries of game development and creating unique experiences for players. The buyout is a testament to the studio’s commitment to its vision and values, and demonstrates the confidence that the management team has in the company’s future. The Chinese Room’s independence will also allow the studio to pursue new projects and collaborations, unencumbered by the constraints of being part of a larger group. The studio’s co-founders have expressed their excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to regain control of the company, and have pledged to continue creating games that are true to their artistic vision. The management buyout is also seen as a positive development for the UK games industry, which has been experiencing significant growth and investment in recent years. The Chinese Room’s independence is expected to have a positive impact on the local gaming community, and will provide a boost to the region’s reputation as a hub for innovative game development. The studio’s games have been widely praised for their emotional depth and complexity, and have won numerous awards and accolades. The Chinese Room’s commitment to creating unique and thought-provoking experiences has earned the studio a loyal following, and its independence is likely to be welcomed by fans and industry observers alike. As the studio looks to the future, it is clear that The Chinese Room is poised to continue making significant contributions to the world of game development. With its independence, the studio will be able to pursue new and innovative projects, and will continue to be a major player in the UK games industry. The management buyout is a significant development for The Chinese Room, and marks an exciting new chapter in the studio’s history. The studio’s co-founders have expressed their commitment to continuing to create games that are true to their artistic vision, and have pledged to maintain the high standards of quality and innovation that The Chinese Room is known for.

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