Still Wakes the Deep studio The Chinese Room is now independent of its former parent company, Sumo Digital, and has announced two upcoming projects. The British developer has faced some tumultuous times lately, with layoffs and uncertainty plaguing Sumo and its subsidiaries over the past several months. Now things may be looking up for the Still Wakes the Deep developer.

In June 2025, The Chinese Room confirmed it had suffered layoffs as part of Sumo Digital's corporate restructuring efforts. Those cuts affected at least nine employees and called the release date of Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2, which had already been delayed multiple times, into question. Things remained on track for Bloodlines 2, but the move was still a worrying sign for the studio, which has now separated itself from its parent company to give itself more security and creative freedom.

Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodline 2 is still releasing in October 2025 despite layoffs.
Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 Publisher Gives Update After Layoffs

Paradox Interactive updates fans about the status of Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 after confirming a round of layoffs at the company.

1
By 

A Chinese Room spokesperson spoke with IGN to confirm that the studio had completed a management buyout with the help of venture capital firm Hiro Capital. The buyout means The Chinese Room can now operate as an independent, developer-owned company, which director Ed Daly says will help it "work on new, original intellectual property." The news comes not long after Sumo Digital announced it would stop making original IPs, which would mean subsidiaries like the Still Wakes the Deep developer would function only as support studios. Devs also say it seemed likely that Sumo would sell The Chinese Room off to another parent company, further encouraging the move toward independence.

The Chinese Room Breaks from Sumo Digital and Announces Two Upcoming Projects

On top of announcing its independence, The Chinese Room also revealed it has two new projects in development. The studio did not announce what these games are or when fans can expect them, but it reaffirms the company's commitment to original IPs now that it has broken from Sumo Digital. However, original properties won't be the only thing to come out of the developer, as The Chinese Room took over work on Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 in 2023, with current plans to release it in October 2025. Fans may hear more about the studio's other projects once Bloodlines 2 is out.

Specific game releases aside, The Chinese Room's independence may be a breath of fresh air for gamers. Acquisitions and mismanagement by large parent companies have drawn scrutiny amid shifts like Microsoft's recent massive wave of layoffs, so seeing an indie developer gain control of its own operations feels like a victory in an increasingly uncertain environment for small game studios.

Rating block community and brand ratings Image
Still Wakes the Deep Tag Page Cover Art

Still Wakes the Deep
Display card tags widget
Survival Horror
Display card system widget
Systems
PC-1 PlayStation-1 Xbox-1
Display card community and brand rating widget Display card open critics widget
Top Critic Avg: 76 /100 Critics Rec: 70%
Display card main info widget
Released
June 18, 2024
ESRB
M For Mature 17+ Due To Intense Violence, Blood and Gore, Sexual Themes, Use of Tobacco, Strong Language
Developer(s)
The Chinese Room
Publisher(s)
Secret Mode
Engine
Unreal Engine 5
Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget end

WHERE TO PLAY

SUBSCRIPTION
DIGITAL
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info

STILL WAKES THE DEEP is a return to the first-person narrative horror genre for The Chinese Room, creator of critically acclaimed games such as Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs, Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture, and Dear Esther.

You are an offshore oil rig worker, fighting for your life through a vicious storm, perilous surroundings, and the dark, freezing North Sea waters. All lines of communication have been severed. All exits are gone. All that remains is to face the unknowable horror that’s come aboard.

Explore a stunningly realised offshore oil rig in 1970’s Scotland that evolves throughout the story.
World-class visuals, audio, writing from award-winning studio The Chinese Room.
World-class, haunting soundtrack by Jason Graves.
Six hours of terrifying gameplay.
Brace yourself for a symphony of action, trepidation and awe.

LIVE THE HORROR
An immersive disaster story aboard an authentic North Sea oil rig.
Face a terrifying, unrelenting foe.
Pray that, one day, you get to see your family again.
Experience the beauty and ferocity of the sea, as it rips apart one of humanity’s strongest structures and its steadfast crew.

Genre(s)
Survival Horror
OpenCritic Rating
Strong