UK-based gaming company Sumo Group has made a significant move by divesting its publishing label, Secret Mode, to Emona Capital. While the financial details of the transaction remain undisclosed, the deal ensures that Secret Mode will maintain its identity as an independent publisher. The leadership team, comprising Ed Blincoe and James Schall, will continue to steer the label’s creative direction.
Commitment to Indie Innovation
Expressing enthusiasm about the new partnership, Blincoe remarked, “Secret Mode is deeply passionate about the creativity and innovation within the indie space, and so we are thrilled to be partnering with Emona Capital and to fully focus on the independent publishing scene.” He also took a moment to acknowledge Sumo Group’s role in the label’s early development, stating, “I want to express our gratitude to Sumo not only for believing in Secret Mode’s original vision and overseeing our startup years, but for granting us this opportunity to become a fully independent entity.”
Schall echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the newfound freedom that independence brings. “By becoming independent, we can now put all our efforts into uncovering the indie gems that gamers never knew they needed in their lives,” he said. He highlighted the label’s commitment to delivering exceptional indie titles, both emerging and those that have been overlooked in the past. “We are working hard to empower independent developers across the globe, and hope to make some exciting announcements on this front in the coming months,” Schall added.
Emona Capital’s Vision
Dominik Dolenec, managing partner at Emona Capital, shared his excitement about the acquisition, noting, “Secret Mode has made great waves in its formative years as a publisher of independent games. We look forward to supporting Secret Mode’s mission within the independent games sector across PC and consoles.”
Founded in 2020 by Sumo Group, Secret Mode’s acquisition aligns with Sumo’s strategic shift towards its work-for-hire business model. Emona Capital, known for its investment in Relic Entertainment during its transition from Sega, is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Secret Mode and the indie gaming landscape.
