The Chinese Room signs publishing deal with Lyrical Games for new game in 2026

The Chinese Room, known for award-winning games, has signed a new publishing deal with Lyrical Games. This is their first deal since becoming independent in 2025.
By Newsroom | Gaming, Business |

Studio Pursues New Creative Direction Following Independence

The Chinese Room, a studio recognized for acclaimed narrative-driven games such as Still Wakes the Deep and Everybody's Gone to the Rapture, has entered into a publishing agreement with Lyrical Games for a new, as-yet-unannounced title. This development follows the studio's successful management buyout from Sumo Digital in 2025, marking a significant step toward independent operation and creative autonomy. The partnership aims to provide The Chinese Room with the necessary resources and support to develop its next project.

Background and Timeline

In July 2025, The Chinese Room announced its separation from Sumo Digital through a management buyout. This move was reportedly prompted by Sumo Digital's strategic shift to focus solely on development services. The studio stated this independence would allow them to pursue new original intellectual property. The Chinese Room confirmed at the time that it had two new projects in development.

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Still Wakes The Deep dev The Chinese Room signs with Lyrical Publishing for new title - 1

The recent agreement with Lyrical Games, announced around February 19, 2026, formalizes the publishing arrangement for one of these projects. Blake Rochkind, Head of Lyrical Games, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, citing a strong vision for the world The Chinese Room intends to build. Ed Daly, CEO of The Chinese Room, indicated that the partnership with Lyrical Games provides confidence and backing for creative exploration in a competitive market.

Evidence of the Publishing Agreement

Official statements from both The Chinese Room and Lyrical Games confirm the publishing deal.

Still Wakes The Deep dev The Chinese Room signs with Lyrical Publishing for new title - 2

  • The Chinese Room's Official Announcement: The studio posted on its website, "We have signed a publishing deal with Lyrical Games for an unannounced new title." The statement included a quote from Blake Rochkind of Lyrical Games, highlighting the publisher's commitment to supporting the studio's vision.

  • Press Releases: Multiple news outlets, including TriplePoint Newsroom and GameDeveloper, reported on the signing, often including contact information for both companies and reiterating quotes from the official announcement.

  • Management Buyout Confirmation: Reports from IGN and Gamerant in July 2025 detail the studio's successful management buyout from Sumo Digital, establishing their independent status prior to this publishing agreement.

Studio Reputation and Achievements

The Chinese Room has established a notable reputation for its atmospheric and narrative-focused games.

  • Acclaim: The studio's previous works, including Still Wakes the Deep and Everybody's Gone to the Rapture, have garnered critical attention and awards.

  • Awards: The studio has received 6 BAFTAs, among other accolades, underscoring its track record in game development.

  • Recent Work: Still Wakes the Deep, released around June 2024, has been described as a "masterpiece of Lovecraftian horror" with a strong emphasis on character and atmosphere.

The Role of Lyrical Games

Lyrical Games positions itself as a publisher focused on empowering developers.

  • Publisher's Commitment: Blake Rochkind stated that Lyrical Games aims to "remove friction from their journey" and provide "clarity and resources" to help The Chinese Room make their new title "truly exceptional."

  • Focus on Vision: The publisher's involvement suggests a willingness to support The Chinese Room's creative direction for the new project.

Future Outlook and Creative Independence

The publishing deal with Lyrical Games represents a pivotal moment for The Chinese Room as an independent entity.

  • Creative Freedom: The partnership appears designed to allow the studio to pursue its creative ambitions without the constraints of a larger corporate structure.

  • New Chapter: The agreement signifies the studio's commitment to developing original intellectual property following its successful transition to independence. The studio has stated it is working on "two new projects," and this deal pertains to one of them.

Conclusion

The agreement between The Chinese Room and Lyrical Games is a concrete step forward for the independent studio. Following its successful management buyout, The Chinese Room is now positioned to leverage its award-winning narrative expertise with the support of a publisher focused on creative empowerment. This collaboration signals the studio's intent to develop new original titles, building upon its established reputation for atmospheric and critically acclaimed games. Further details regarding the unannounced project are expected to be released at a later date.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the new deal between The Chinese Room and Lyrical Games?
The Chinese Room, an independent game studio, has signed a deal with Lyrical Games to publish one of their upcoming, unannounced games. This deal was announced around February 19, 2026.
Q: Why did The Chinese Room sign with Lyrical Games?
The studio became independent in July 2025 after buying out from Sumo Digital. This deal with Lyrical Games will give them the support and resources needed to create their new project, allowing for creative freedom.
Q: What kind of games does The Chinese Room make?
The Chinese Room is known for making story-focused games with strong atmosphere. Their past games include 'Still Wakes the Deep' and 'Everybody's Gone to the Rapture', which have won awards.
Q: What does Lyrical Games do?
Lyrical Games is a publisher that helps game developers by giving them resources and support. They want to help The Chinese Room make their new game successful and allow the studio to focus on its creative ideas.
Q: When will we know more about the new game?
The game is still unannounced, so details are not yet available. More information about the new title is expected to be shared by The Chinese Room and Lyrical Games at a later time.