Secret Mode
Secret Mode is an independent UK-based video game publisher founded in 2020, partnering with external indie studios to publish and distribute titles across PC, console, mobile, and subscription platforms globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersBrightside, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Secret Mode does
Secret Mode is an independent video game publisher headquartered in Leamington Spa, United Kingdom, founded in 2020 as the publishing division of Sumo Group and operating as an independent entity following its March 2025 acquisition by Emona Capital LLP. The company partners with external indie development studios to publish and distribute their games across PC (Steam, Epic Games Store), PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and mobile platforms (iOS/Android), with select titles also distributed via Xbox Game Pass. Secret Mode does not develop games internally; its core capability is providing publishing infrastructure, platform relationships, marketing, and distribution to indie developers across genres including puzzle, narrative horror, simulation, action RPG, racing, strategy, and sports management.
The company's portfolio spans 15+ published titles, including A Little to the Left (over 1 million copies sold, with Cupboards & Drawers and Seeing Stars DLC expansions), Still Wakes the Deep: Siren's Rest (BAFTA-winning narrative horror from The Chinese Room), Star Wars: Galactic Racer (a licensed IP podracing title from Fuse Games), Wobbledogs (simulation), Loddlenaut and Pine Hearts (cozy/creature games), Empyreal (action RPG), Make Way and DEATHSPRINT 66 (racing), Mars Horizon 2 (space strategy), NUTMEG! (football management deckbuilder), and A Storied Life: Tabitha (narrative puzzle). The company does not disclose proprietary technology; its operational stack relies on standard digital storefront integrations, social media platforms (Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, TikTok, Twitch, Discord), and email newsletters for marketing.
The business model is sales-led, generating revenue primarily through one-time perpetual game license sales and DLC/expansion sales across global digital storefronts and subscription services. Pricing ranges from $4.99 mobile DLC to $79.99 for premium editions. Customer segments are bifurcated: a B2B segment of indie game development studios seeking publishing support (approximately 10+ active development partners), and a B2C segment of end consumers across casual, indie, and multi-platform gamer segments. The company employs 11-50 staff and is led by VP of Publishing Ed Blincoe and VP of Publishing Strategy James Schall, both of whom led the management buyout.
Secret Mode firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Secret Mode
- Legal name
- Secret Mode Limited
- Website
- https://wearesecretmode.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Secret Mode is an independent UK-based video game publisher founded in 2020, partnering with external indie studios to publish and distribute titles across PC, console, mobile, and subscription platforms globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Secret Mode industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Indie Game Publishing
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (51321)
- SIC
- Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Digital Game Distribution Platforms & Storefronts (PC/Mobile/Console) (MPAFABAB)
Keywords
Where Secret Mode is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Brightside
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Secret Mode business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Game Sales: Secret Mode generates revenue through publishing and selling video games across multiple digital storefronts and platforms. Games are sold as one-time purchases with additional revenue from DLC expansions.
- DLC and Expansion Sales: Additional revenue streams from downloadable content and expansion packs for published titles, such as Cupboards & Drawers DLC for A Little to the Left.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Star Wars: Galactic Racer Standard Edition |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Star Wars: Galactic Racer Deluxe Edition |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | NUTMEG! Standard Price |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | A Little to the Left Console |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | A Little to the Left: Cupboards & Drawers DLC |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Wobbledogs Console Edition |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | A Little to the Left Mobile |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | A Little to the Left: Seeing Stars iOS |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Empyreal |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels8 records
Marketing channels6 records
Secret Mode product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Secret Mode is an independent video game publisher that partners with external development studios to bring indie games to market across PC (Steam, Epic Games Store), console (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch), and mobile platforms. The company publishes titles spanning multiple genres including puzzle, simulation, horror, racing, action RPG, and cozy games, providing developers with publishing infrastructure, marketing support, platform relationships, and distribution. Revenue is generated through one-time game sales and DLC expansion packs across major digital storefronts.
Product overview
Secret Mode is an independent game publisher founded in 2020, operating as a portfolio of distinct games across multiple genres and platforms. The company publishes titles developed by various studios including Fuse Games, The Chinese Room, Max Inferno, Moon Lagoon, Sumo Sheffield, Lab42 Games, and Silent Games. Key titles include Star Wars: Galactic Racer (podracing arcade game), Still Wakes the Deep: Siren's Rest (narrative horror), Everything is Crab (evolutionary roguelite), NUTMEG! (football management deckbuilder), A Storied Life: Tabitha (cozy narrative puzzle), Pine Hearts (wholesome adventure), A Little to the Left (tidying puzzle game), Loddlenaut (creature-raising survival), Wobbledogs (pet simulation), Empyreal (action RPG), Make Way (party racer), DEATHSPRINT 66 (brutal racing), and Mars Horizon 2 (space strategy). Games are distributed across PC (Steam, Epic Games Store), consoles (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch), and mobile platforms. Secret Mode was acquired by Emona Capital in March 2025 and operates as an independent publisher.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Star Wars: Galactic Racer A high-stakes podracing arcade game set in the Star Wars universe, featuring roguelite-style career mode and online multiplayer supporting up to 12 players. Developed by Fuse Games and serving as a spiritual successor to classic podracing titles.
- Still Wakes the Deep: Siren's Rest A narrative horror game developed by The Chinese Room, serving as a sequel to Still Wakes the Deep.
- Pine Hearts A wholesome adventure game featuring main character Tyke, available on PC, Nintendo Switch, and mobile platforms (iOS/Android).
- Everything is Crab An evolutionary roguelite game where players hunt, flee, scavenge, and thrive in a living ecosystem, with over 100 evolutions and specializations for unique creature combinations in every run. Developed by Odd Dreams Digital.
- NUTMEG! A nostalgic football manager game with deckbuilding mechanics set in the '80s and '90s. Players manage teams from lower leagues to upper echelons. Developed by Sumo Sheffield.
- A Storied Life: Tabitha A cozy narrative puzzle game developed by Lab42 Games where players sort through belongings of a recently deceased loved one and complete their memoir by choosing which items to keep.
- DEATHSPRINT 66 A brutal racing game set in 2066 where players take on the role of Clone Jockey competing in the Bachman Media Network's violent entertainment show.
- Loddlenaut A creature-raising survival game where players clean up an underwater planet polluted by a mega-corporation while raising axolotl-like alien creatures called loddles. Developed by Moon Lagoon.
- Wobbledogs Console Edition A 3D pet simulation where players raise rapidly mutating dogs from egg to grave, physically simulated down to their guts. Optimized for console platforms.
- A Little to the Left A cozy puzzle game where players sort, stack, and organize household items into pleasing arrangements while keeping an eye out for a mischievous cat. Over 1 million copies sold since launch.
- Make Way A multiplayer DIY party racer where up to six players create tracks, battle with weapons and hazards, and compete locally or online with cross-platform multiplayer.
- Empyreal A complex action RPG from Silent Games where players explore an imposing Monolith and fight guardians within, uncovering a narrative combining mythology and philosophy.
- Critter Café A cozy game where players serve drinks and save critters, with a partnership featuring Lofi Girl bringing music and content collaboration.
- Mars Horizon 2: The Search for Life An authentic space management game developed by Auroch Digital where players lead a space agency searching for evidence of life across the solar system. Partnered with the European Space Agency for authenticity.
- Little Orpheus A side-scrolling adventure game set in a lost world beneath Siberia.
- Eternal Threads A time manipulation narrative game about fixing the past.
- Wobbledogs (PC original) The original PC pet simulation game where players raise mutating dogs, available on Steam.
- Parcel Corps A game published by Secret Mode with its own legal page, indicating an active publishing relationship.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 1 million copies sold for flagship title A Little to the Left
Companies that use Secret Mode
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Secret Mode technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
Secret Mode partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Sumo DigitalminorFormer parent company Sumo Digital divested Secret Mode as part of strategic restructuring. Secret Mode maintains working relationships with Sumo Sheffield for NUTMEG! development.
- Fuse GamescoreFuse Games (founded by ex-Criterion developers) developed Star Wars: Galactic Racer published by Secret Mode. The game is a spiritual successor to classic podracing titles.
- Odd Dreams DigitalcoreOdd Dreams Digital developed Everything is Crab, an evolutionary roguelite published by Secret Mode, launching in 2026 on PC.
- Lab42 GamescoreLab42 Games developed A Storied Life: Tabitha published by Secret Mode, launching on PC and Nintendo Switch in April 2026.
- Sumo SheffieldcoreSumo Sheffield developed NUTMEG!, a nostalgic football management game with deckbuilding elements published by Secret Mode.
- The Chinese RoomcoreThe Chinese Room developed Still Wakes the Deep published by Secret Mode. The game won multiple BAFTA awards in 2025 including New IP.
- Auroch DigitalcoreAuroch Digital developed Mars Horizon 2: The Search for Life published by Secret Mode. The studio also handled console ports of Wobbledogs.
- Animal UprisingcoreAnimal Uprising, led by Tom Astle, created Wobbledogs which Secret Mode publishes across PC and console platforms.
- Moon LagooncoreMoon Lagoon developed Loddlenaut published by Secret Mode, a cozy underwater adventure game about cleaning pollution and raising creatures.
- Silent GamescoreSilent Games developed Empyreal, an action RPG published by Secret Mode launching in 2025 on PC and consoles.
- WDC (Whale and Dolphin Conservation)minorSecret Mode donates £0.05 per sale of Loddlenaut to WDC Whale and Dolphin Conservation for three years from launch.
- Joey Beauchamp Foundation and Dalian Atkinson Legacy FundminorSecret Mode donates £0.05 per sale of NUTMEG! to two footballing charities until November 2027.
- European Space AgencyminorEuropean Space Agency partnered with Auroch Digital on Mars Horizon 2 for authenticity in space simulation.
- Lofi GirlminorLofi Girl partnered with Secret Mode for Critter Café, bringing music and content collaboration.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Secret Mode competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Devolver Digital: Largest pure-play indie game publisher, publicly listed, signing and publishing third-party developed indie titles across PC and console — the closest direct competitor to Secret Mode in mandate, model, and target developer.
- Annapurna Interactive: Award-winning indie publisher focused on distinctive, high-prestige indie titles across PC and console. Comparable to Secret Mode in editorial-driven, quality-led publishing strategy.
- Team17: Long-standing UK-based indie publisher with a deep multi-genre catalogue (Worms, Overcooked, etc.) and label-style publishing across PC and console — a similarly broad, indie-led publishing operation.
- Raw Fury: Independent game publisher focused on distinctive indie titles across PC and console, with a similar editorial-driven sign-and-publish model to Secret Mode.
- Kepler Interactive: Indie publisher built on studio equity partnerships, publishing premium indie titles across PC and console — directly comparable in mandate and structure to Secret Mode's third-party publishing model.
- Fellow Traveller: Narrative-focused indie publisher releasing games across PC, console, and mobile — directly comparable to Secret Mode's narrative/puzzle-driven slice of its portfolio (Still Wakes the Deep, A Storied Life).
- Finji: Independent publisher/developer focused on premium and curated indie titles (Night in the Woods, Tunic co-publishing) — comparable boutique indie publishing profile.
- Chucklefish: UK-based indie publisher and developer working with external studios to publish indie titles across PC and console, with a similar size and indie focus.
Broad incumbents
- Private Division: Take-Two's indie publishing label, publishing mid-to-larger-budget indie titles across PC and console — a much larger, parent-backed incumbent competing for the same tier of indie deals.
- Annapurna (parent) / Weta Workshop game publishing: Larger media-owned entity expanding into game publishing adjacent to indie — represents the broader, well-capitalised competition for indie publishing mandates.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Secret Mode social profiles
Digital presenceSecret Mode compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Secret Mode financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Secret Mode leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Secret Mode funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Secret Mode M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Secret Mode
What does Secret Mode do?
Secret Mode is an independent video game publisher that partners with external development studios to bring indie games to market across PC (Steam, Epic Games Store), console (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch), and mobile platforms. The company publishes titles spanning multiple genres including puzzle, simulation, horror, racing, action RPG, and cozy games, providing developers with publishing infrastructure, marketing support, platform relationships, and distribution. Revenue is generated through one-time game sales and DLC expansion packs across major digital storefronts.
Is Secret Mode a public or private company?
Secret Mode is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was Secret Mode founded?
Secret Mode was founded in 2020. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Secret Mode based?
Secret Mode is headquartered in Brightside, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Secret Mode make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Game Sales are the primary driver. The others are DLC and Expansion Sales.
Who are Secret Mode's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Devolver Digital, Annapurna Interactive, Team17, Raw Fury, Kepler Interactive, Fellow Traveller, Finji and Chucklefish. Broad incumbents are Private Division and Annapurna (parent) / Weta Workshop game publishing.
Does Secret Mode have an API?
No public API is recorded for Secret Mode.
What industry is Secret Mode in?
Secret Mode's product category is Indie Game Publishing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAFABAB, Digital Game Distribution Platforms & Storefronts (PC/Mobile/Console). Its NAICS code is 51321 and its SIC code is 7990.