Secret Mode
Secret Mode business and news from across the web.- A Storied Life: Tabitha available now on Steam and Nintendo SwitchThe wholesome narrative puzzle game A Storied Life: Tabitha is now available on PC via Steam and Nintendo Switch. Developed by Lab42 Games and published by Secret Mode, the game allows players to piece together the life of a recently deceased loved one by sorting through their belongings and filling in gaps in their memoirs. It features a cozy aesthetic and encourages players to make choices about how the deceased will be remembered.
DreamHack 2026 – Indie Playground HighlightsDreamHack 2026 in the UK featured an "Indie Playground" showcasing numerous independently developed games. Highlights included "The Drifting Crown" by Sponge Hammer Games, a roguelike action-adventure; "Character Limit," a fast-paced word game from Hotel Outlaw; and "Chronicles Reborn," an open-world survival adventure by Brightwyn Games. Other featured titles were D’Avekki Studios' full-motion video murder mystery "The Infectious Madness of Doctor Dekker 2," Galatico Studios' retro shooter "Galatico," and "Everything is Crab," an animal evolution roguelite published by Secret Mode.- PONCLE KEYNOTE LEADS EXPANDED B2B PROGRAMME AT LONDON GAMES FESTIVALThe London Games Festival has expanded its B2B program, featuring a keynote from Poncle, the studio behind Vampire Survivors. The event includes a two-day Games Finance Market with £247 million in potential investment, a Self-Publishing Toolkit live session, and the first Games For Change London Summit focused on social impact through games. A 'Games meets film' convergence event, Screen Play, will also explore collaborations between creative industries.
- Beat-based dungeon crawlers, card-battling soccer sims and other new indie games worth checking outThis roundup highlights several new and upcoming indie games, including the multiplayer shooter Terminal War inspired by The Last of Us Factions, the rhythm-based dungeon crawler GridBeat, and the card-battling soccer sim Nutmeg. Other featured titles include the metal-themed roguelite Devil Jam, the stock market simulator Space Warlord Baby Trading Simulator, and the co-op tower defense game Salvation Denied.
Retro Football Management Card Game Nutmeg Launches on SteamNutmeg, a retro football management card game, has launched on Steam and is fully playable on Steam Deck. Developed by Sumo Digital studios and published by Secret Mode, the game simulates a 20-year journey through English football divisions in the 1980s and 1990s, featuring a fast-paced card system for matches and club management elements. A portion of sales will be donated to the Joey Beauchamp Foundation and the Dalian Atkinson Legacy Trust.- NUTMEG! A Nostalgic Deckbuilding Football Manager Now AvailableNUTMEG!, a nostalgic deckbuilding football manager from Sumo Digital and Secret Mode, is now available on PC via Steam. The game tasks players with managing a fourth-division English team through the 1980s and 1990s, featuring card-based gameplay and the ability to recruit legendary players. A portion of sales through November will benefit the Joey Beauchamp Foundation and the Dalian Atkinson Legacy Fund.
- Diva Agency Launches New Creator And Community Division Dedicated To Fan Engagement, Creator Partnerships And Community BuildingDiva Agency has launched a new Creator and Community engagement division to focus on fan engagement and influencer marketing for its entertainment clients. The new team, led by Charlotte Willis, aims to build authentic connections between brands and their audiences across online niches. This expansion follows a significant growth year for Diva's PR and Comms business.
Fear Not, Collectors, PS5's Star Wars: Galactic Racer Is Getting a Physical ReleaseStar Wars: Galactic Racer, developed by Fuse Games, will receive a global physical release for the PlayStation 5 later this year. Publisher Secret Mode has partnered with Plaion for distribution of the boxed copies. The arcade-style racing game is also available to wishlist on the PlayStation Store.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer physical edition to be distributed by PLAIONPLAION will serve as the global physical distributor for Fuse Games' upcoming racing title, Star Wars: Galactic Racer, under an agreement with publisher Secret Mode. The partnership will see PLAION manage all logistics, distribution, and retail sales for the physical editions across international markets. The game is slated for release in 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC.
PLAION Signs Global Physical Distribution with Secret Mode for Star Wars: Galactic Racer™PLAION has signed a global physical distribution agreement with Secret Mode for the upcoming 2026 title, Star Wars: Galactic Racer. Developed by Fuse Games, the game will be distributed worldwide by PLAION, leveraging their extensive logistics and retail network. This partnership aims to ensure broad availability of the physical editions for fans of the beloved franchise.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer is Getting a Physical Release as Part of Partnership With PLAIONPLAION and Secret Mode are partnering for the global physical release of the upcoming racing game Star Wars: Galactic Racer. The title is in development for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, and will feature a campaign, arcade mode, and multiplayer. The game's story centers on a lone racer named Shade competing in an unsanctioned racing league.
"We now have a clear vision for how Sumo fits into the new world" - inside the slimmed-down Sumo GroupSumo Group, now co-led by Gary Dunn and Andy Stewart, is refocusing exclusively on co-development and work-for-hire services for partners, moving away from self-funded IP. This strategic shift follows staff reductions and the divestment of several studios, with support from parent company Tencent. The company aims to leverage its expertise in working with established IPs and offers flexible funding models, including co-funding, to collaborate on projects across various platforms like PC, consoles, and Roblox.
Everything is Crab: The Animal Evolution Roguelite Steam Next Fest Demo LiveThe animal evolution roguelite Everything is Crab, developed by Odd Dreams Digital and published by Secret Mode, has released a Steam Next Fest demo. The game allows players to choose evolutionary paths and unlock over 100 abilities, drawing comparisons to Spore. It is scheduled for release on May 8 and is available for wishlisting on Steam.
Influencer-hosted Convergence indie showcase returns today, featuring 30 new gamesThe Convergence indie game showcase returns today, featuring 30 upcoming titles with several world premieres and 28 additional games in the pre-show. Hosted by influencers Jessie Cox and Dodger, the event will be broadcast on YouTube, Twitch, Steam, and IGN, reaching an audience of 1.5 million gamers.
Secret Mode busted out of the Tencent-owned Sumo Group last year. Now what?Secret Mode, an indie publisher owned by Sumo Group (which is in turn owned by Tencent), has successfully gained independence with the help of investment firm Emona Capital. This move came after Sumo Group announced a shift to exclusively focus on development services. Secret Mode's CEO Ed Blincoe and chief publishing officer James Schall detail the rapid acquisition process and the publisher's subsequent growth, including new hires and ambitious projects like Star Wars: Galactic Racer.- Best Cozy Games To Cuddle Up With In 2026This guide highlights the best cozy games available in 2026, focusing on titles that offer comfort and escapism through farming, creativity, and social simulation. The list includes popular games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Stardew Valley, alongside indie gems such as Thrifty Business and Tiny Bookshop, catering to various preferences within the cozy genre.
Galaxies Autumn 2025 Showcase: Teaser trailer, broadcast time, and moreThe Galaxies Autumn Showcase will feature new announcements, world premieres, and updates on upcoming games. The event will be broadcast on October 23rd at 8 PM GMT on Twitch and YouTube, hosted by Jane Douglas. Expected reveals include a survival-crafting title from Unifiq, a new Dumb Ways to Die game, MOUSE: PI For Hire, and updates from Nacon, Team 17, and Blumhouse Games.