Publishing support unlocks creative powerhouse behind Still Wakes The Deep, Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2, and more
LOS ANGELES, CA – February 19, 2026 – Lyrical Games, the newly formed independent game publisher focused on supporting creatively ambitious indie and AA titles, today announced a publishing partnership with The Chinese Room, the award-winning British development studio known for its iconic narrative-driven games. Under the agreement, Lyrical Games will publish an upcoming, unannounced title from The Chinese Room. Lyrical is providing full financing, strategic production support, and collaborative go-to-market planning while preserving the studio’s creative autonomy and IP ownership. The partnership builds on Lyrical Games’ growing portfolio and commitment to backing distinctive, high-craft projects led by experienced teams.
Backed by Lyrical Media, an independent storytelling company with film and TV roots, Lyrical Games is led by industry veterans from Private Division, Humble Games, Devolver Digital, and more. Following its launch in Spring 2025, Lyrical Games has announced two highly anticipated titles, Valor Mortis from One More Level, and Erosion from Plot Twist, both due out in 2026. They have also announced a partnership with Blackbird Interactive for an unannounced title.
“From our earliest conversations with The Chinese Room, it was immediately clear we had to back this strong vision for the world that they wanted to build,” said Blake Rochkind, Head of Lyrical Games. “Now more than ever, our role as a publisher is to remove friction from their journey. We’re committed to providing them with clarity and resources so that they can focus on making this title truly exceptional.”
The Chinese Room has built a reputation for atmospheric storytelling across multiple genres, including Still Wakes the Deep and Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture, winning 6 BAFTAs among dozens of accolades. Their new project is one of the studio’s first titles since completing a management buyout from Sumo Digital in 2025, marking a new independent chapter for The Chinese Room.
“Our partnership with Lyrical Games gives us the confidence and support to push creatively in the ways that are needed to stand out in today’s market,” said Ed Daly, CEO of The Chinese Room. “Now, we can focus on elevating the player experience while Lyrical ensures that the game reaches those players.”
A press kit with assets for Lyrical Games and The Chinese Room can be found here.
To stay up-to-date with the latest news and updates from Lyrical Games, visit the official website and follow their social media channels: Instagram, X/Twitter, and Bluesky. For developers interested in partnering with Lyrical Games, email biz@lyricalgames.co.
For more information from The Chinese Room, visit the official website: thechineseroom.co.uk Follow The Chinese Room for the latest news and updates: Bluesky | Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Reddit | YouTube | TikTok | monthly newsletter
About Lyrical Games
Lyrical Games is an independent publisher based in Los Angeles, CA, founded to serve developers building ambitious indie and AA games within an increasingly risk-averse marketplace. Established by Lyrical Media and led by industry veterans with backgrounds at Private Division, Devolver Digital, Humble Games, Microsoft, and more, Lyrical Games partners with studios through transparent, collaboration-driven agreements that preserve creative control and IP ownership. The company’s current slate includes Valor Mortis (One More Level), Erosion (Plot Twist), and unannounced games from Blackbird Interactive and The Chinese Room.
About The Chinese Room
The Chinese Room is an award-winning independent game development studio based in Brighton, UK. Since 2012, the studio has built a reputation for innovative first-person gaming with titles that include the ground-breaking Dear Esther (2012); the cult horror Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs (2013); the internationally acclaimed Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture (2015); the multiple BAFTA-winning horror Still Wakes the Deep (2024), and the supernatural action of Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 (2025).
Media Contacts
Nick Shepherd, TriplePoint for Lyrical Games: lyrical@triplepointpr.com
Jared Tan, Lyrical Games: jared@lyricalgames.co
Marijam Didžgalvytė, The Chinese Room: contact@thechineseroom.co.uk
Kaila Fuller 
Hailey Armstrong