Secret Mode Leaves Sumo Group After Being Sold to Emona Capital

Secret Mode was sold to Emona Capital – marking the game publisher’s departure from Sumo Studios. The acquisition was led by Secret Mode Co-Founder James Schall and VP of publishing, Ed Blincoe. 

The price at which Emona Capital bought Secret Mode was not publicly disclosed. Emona Capital’s buyout marks its “first investment in game publishing, reinforcing its commitment to the broader gaming ecosystem.” 

According to the Sumo Group’s official announcement, Secret Mode will continue operating as an independent publisher, prioritizing support for indie PC and console games. 

Emona Capital plans on backing Secret Mode while keeping Ed Blincoe and James Schall as leaders as Secret Mode enters its next phase. 

“By becoming independent, we can now put all our efforts into uncovering the indie gems that gamers never knew they needed in their lives,” James Schall reaffirmed. 

“We are committed to bringing our players the very best indie titles; not just of the future, but also by helping them discover existing indie masterpieces that have undeservedly flown under the radar in years gone by.”

Emona Capital LLP is an entrepreneurial investment firm with a global investment mandate, led by “seasoned professionals who have collectively invested over $2 billion over the past two decades.” The investment firm previously invested in studios such as Relic Entertainment and Amber studio. 

As for Secret Mode, the video game publisher was founded within Sumo Group in 2021. The publishers emphasize games catered for everyone while promoting creativity catered towards inspiring their players.