British independent game developer The Chinese Room has entered a publishing partnership with Lyrical Games for an upcoming, unannounced title. The agreement, announced this week, marks a significant new chapter for the studio following its separation from the Tencent-owned Sumo Group last year. The partnership also represents a major early move for Lyrical Games, a publishing label established in the previous year by industry veterans.
Details of the Partnership
The Chinese Room, known for narrative-driven experiences such as “Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture” and the recent horror title “Still Wakes the Deep,” will develop the new project. Lyrical Games will handle publishing duties. Financial terms of the deal, the specific genre of the game, and its target release platforms were not disclosed in the initial announcement. The core agreement signifies a strategic alignment between an established developer seeking independent publishing and a new publisher built by experienced executives.
Background on The Chinese Room
The Brighton-based studio gained critical acclaim for its atmospheric “walking simulator” games. After being acquired by Sumo Digital in 2018, which itself became part of the Chinese conglomerate Tencent, The Chinese Room was integrated into the larger group. In 2023, the studio’s founders completed a management buyout, returning the company to full independence. This latest publishing deal with Lyrical Games is its first major partnership since regaining its autonomous status.
The Rise of Lyrical Games
Lyrical Games is a relatively new entity in the publishing landscape. It was launched last year under the umbrella of Lyrical Media. The label is helmed by former leaders of Private Division, the indie-focused publishing arm of Take-Two Interactive known for titles like “Kerbal Space Program 2” and “OlliOlli World.” The founding team’s background suggests a focus on supporting independent developers with a blend of creative freedom and operational expertise typically associated with larger publishers.
Industry Context and Implications
This partnership occurs within a broader industry trend where seasoned developers, after periods within larger corporate structures, are returning to independence and seeking tailored publishing relationships. For new publishing labels like Lyrical Games, securing a partnership with a developer of The Chinese Room’s pedigree provides immediate credibility and a strong portfolio cornerstone. The move indicates confidence in the developer’s next creative vision and the publisher’s ability to bring it to a global market.
The collaboration is viewed as a strategic fit, combining a developer with a proven track record in evocative storytelling and environmental design with a publisher founded by individuals experienced in guiding indie projects to commercial success. It reflects a continuing maturation of the independent games sector, where specialized publishers offer alternatives to self-publishing or traditional large-scale deals.
Next Steps and Future Outlook
Official next steps will involve the formal pre-production and development cycle for the unannounced title. The Chinese Room is expected to leverage its core design philosophies while potentially exploring new genres or narratives under this new partnership. Industry observers anticipate a formal reveal of the game, including its title, concept, and target release window, within the next 12 to 18 months, following standard development and marketing timelines. The success of this initial project will likely shape the long-term relationship between the developer and the nascent publisher.
Source: GamesIndustry.biz
