Sumo Group Highlights Strategic Shift Toward Exclusive Partnership Focus

Sumo Group, the UK-based video game studio responsible for Snake Pass, as well as publisher Secret Mode, has announced that its development team will shift to working “solely on development services for partners” and has cautioned of “an effect on our studios and personnel” (thanks to Push Square for the notice).

In a business update on the Sumo Group website, the studio revealed the “strategic choice to concentrate Sumo Digital exclusively on development services for partners”. While it mentioned that it has “taken advantage of opportunities to create [its] own IP” in the past, this decision is part of ensuring the “long-term stability and achievement of our business”.

The announcement did not specify which teams or how many individuals would be affected by this transition, although the statement asserted that the studio is “dedicated to minimizing this impact as much as possible,” and is “exploring all possibilities to retain talent, and [is] supporting those impacted with honesty, care, and empathy”.

This modification, the studio emphasizes, will have “no effect on existing or future commitments with partners” and is intended to “enhance [its] status as a premium development partner” moving ahead.

The studio, which is owned by the Chinese conglomerate Tencent, dismissed 15% of its staff last year, with teams across Canada, the UK, Poland, Czech Republic, and India all being impacted.

While Sumo Group is arguably more recognized for its collaborations with larger partners — Team Sonic Racing, LittleBigPlanet 3, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre — its original IP work has yielded some delightful results like the 2017 puzzle game Snake Pass and last year’s Critter Café.

If we receive any updates on this situation, we will be sure to let you know.