On June 2, Secret Mode announced its acquisition of the co-op platformer, Chained Together, from Anegar Games. This intense cooperative experience, where players navigate challenges while tethered to friends, has gained significant traction since its June 2024 launch, surpassing 10 million copies sold.
Transitioning from Tencent’s Sumo Group in March 2025, Secret Mode received support from private equity firm Emona Capital. Earlier, the CEO noted that Emona has facilitated major titles like Escape the Backrooms and Star Wars: Galactic Racer, allowing the pursuit of “more ambitious opportunities.”
“Our quest for fresh content is never-ending,” the CEO remarked, emphasizing their approach to acquiring new games or launching projects like Chained Together. “We engage in outreach, participate in events, and connect with developers to explore possibilities.”
Regarding the acquisition of Chained Together, it was spearheaded by Secret Mode with Emona’s support. “Our internal team conducted most of the research, leveraging Emona’s financial expertise,” the CEO explained.
“These acquisitions are vital to our future strategy,” they added, referring to similar successful deals, including Escape the Backrooms, which has launched on consoles with a solid content rollout planned.
Originally launching in Early Access on Steam in August 2022, Escape the Backrooms saw Secret Mode stepping in as publisher in August 2025. The game is set for a full release on October 23 this year, recently surging in player count due to a film adaptation becoming A24’s highest-grossing film in the US. Notably, the game’s concurrent player count surged from around 7,500 to nearly 17,000 during a recent week.
The deal for Chained Together mirrors previous acquisitions, both representing successful co-op multiplayer titles with dedicated fanbases.
The CEO did not disclose detailed terms regarding the Chained Together transaction but mentioned that “Emona provides access to additional investment should it be necessary for future projects.”
Looking ahead, Secret Mode plans to expand the game’s development talent. “We’re finalizing a new development team that will enhance Chained Together’s content,” the CEO stated, assuring that this trusted team has substantial experience in managing existing intellectual properties.
There is optimism for the latest acquisition, with Chained Together peaking at a concurrent player count of 94,480, although numbers have since dwindled to around 5,842. “We see a lot of latent potential within Chained Together and are actively strategizing to revitalize its audience,” the CEO remarked.
While upcoming plans remain under wraps, there is intent to analyze player feedback from the game’s launch and identify new experiences to reignite passion among both current and prospective players.
Key Takeaways
- The acquisition of Chained Together reflects Secret Mode’s commitment to expanding its gaming portfolio.
- Ongoing collaborations with investment firms enable the publisher to access vital resources for future acquisitions.
- The strategy includes acquiring established titles and building on them to enhance player engagement.
- Observing player interactions and feedback is essential for shaping future game experiences.
- Building strategic partnerships with development teams is crucial for content creation.