# Sumo Group

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Sumo_Group
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Sumo_Group.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumo_Group
> Source revision: 1343093318
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

British video game holding company

Sumo Group Limited Type Subsidiary Founded December 2017; 8 years ago (2017-12) Headquarters Sheffield , England Key people Carl Cavers (CEO) Number of employees 1,400[1] (2023) Parent Tencent (2022–present) Website Official website

**Sumo Group Limited** was a British video game [holding company](/source/Holding_company) based in [Sheffield](/source/Sheffield). It was formed in December 2017 as the [parent company](/source/Parent_company) for [Sumo Digital](/source/Sumo_Digital) and Atomhawk, followed by its [initial public offering](/source/Initial_public_offering) on the [London Stock Exchange](/source/London_Stock_Exchange) later that month. After purchasing a minority stake in Sumo Group in November 2019, [Tencent](/source/Tencent) wholly acquired the company in January 2022. After divesting all assets apart from Sumo Digital, it effectively ceased to exist in 2025.

## History

Carl Cavers, Paul Porter, Darren Mills and James North-Hearn, four former members of the defunct [Infogrames Studios](/source/Infogrames_Studios), established the developer [Sumo Digital](/source/Sumo_Digital) in 2003.[2] It was bought by [Foundation 9 Entertainment](/source/Foundation_9_Entertainment) in March 2008 before Cavers, Porter, Mills and Chris Stockwell completed a [management buyout](/source/Management_buyout) of the studio in November 2014.[3][4] [Ian Livingstone](/source/Ian_Livingstone) served as chairman from 2015 to 2022.[5] In December 2017, Sumo Group was formed in December 2017 as the [parent company](/source/Parent_company) for Sumo Digital and its Atomhawk [subsidiary](/source/Subsidiary). Sumo Group had its [initial public offering](/source/Initial_public_offering) on the [London Stock Exchange](/source/London_Stock_Exchange)'s (LSE) AIM market later that month.[6][7]

In November 2019, the Chinese conglomerate [Tencent](/source/Tencent) acquired 15 million shares of Sumo Group, representing a 10% stake.[8] Sumo Group acquired [Pipeworks Studios](/source/Pipeworks_Studios) in October 2020 and opened a publishing label, Secret Mode, in March 2021.[9][10] In July that year, Tencent and Sumo Group agreed that Tencent would, through its [subsidiary](/source/Subsidiary) Sixjoy Hong Kong Limited, wholly acquire the company for £5.13 per share (143.3% of the shares' previous [closing price](/source/Closing_price) of £3.58), totalling £919 million. At the time, Tencent was Sumo Group's second-largest shareholder at 8.75%.[11][12]

In September 2021, Sumo Group acquired [Auroch Digital](/source/Auroch_Digital), a [Bristol](/source/Bristol)-based developer, £6 million.[13] Tencent's acquisition was approved by the [Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States](/source/Committee_on_Foreign_Investment_in_the_United_States) in December 2021, followed by the [High Court of Justice](/source/High_Court_of_Justice) on 13 January 2022. Sumo Group was consequently delisted from the LSE on 17 January and became a subsidiary of Tencent through the latter's Sixjoy Hong Kong Limited holding subsidiary.[14] On July 21, 2022, Sumo Group sold Pipeworks Studios to *[RuneScape](/source/RuneScape)* developer [Jagex](/source/Jagex) for an undisclosed sum.[15] In September 2023, it was announced Sumo Group had acquired the [Leamington Spa](/source/Leamington_Spa)-based game development studio, Midoki.[16]

On June 11, 2024, the company announced it would be laying off up to 15% of its workforce and shutting down Timbre Games.[17][18]

On March 3, 2025, Secret Mode was sold to Emona Capital to operate as a fully independent games publisher.[19] Auroch Digital acquired by Roundtable Interactive in November 2025.[20]

## Subsidiaries

- [Sumo Digital](/source/Sumo_Digital) - Atomhawk - Atomhawk Advance - Atomhawk Canada - Atomhawk Gateshead - Sumo India - Sumo Bangalore - Sumo Pune - Midoki - Lab42 - PixelAnt Games - PixelAnt Czech - PixelAnt Wroclaw - Red Kite Games - Sumo Leamington - Sumo Newcastle - Sumo Nottingham - Sumo Sheffield - Sumo Warrington

### Former subsidiaries

- [Auroch Digital](/source/Auroch_Digital) (divested in 2025)

- Secret Mode (divested in 2025)[19]

- [The Chinese Room](/source/The_Chinese_Room) (divested in 2025)

- Timbre Games (closed in 2024)[18]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Home | Sumo Group"](https://www.sumogroupltd.com/). *www.sumogroupltd.com*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-MCV:_Porter_2-0)** ["Interview: Paul Porter, Sumo Digital"](https://www.mcvuk.com/development-news/interview-paul-porter-sumo-digital/). *[MCV/Develop](/source/MCV%2FDevelop)*. 4 September 2017. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210719114414/https://www.mcvuk.com/development-news/interview-paul-porter-sumo-digital/) from the original on 19 July 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-GameSpot:_Foundation_9_3-0)** Boyes, Emma (17 August 2007). ["Foundation 9 wrestles with Sumo Digital"](https://www.gamespot.com/articles/foundation-9-wrestles-with-sumo-digital/1100-6176808/). *[GameSpot](/source/GameSpot)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180206073522/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/foundation-9-wrestles-with-sumo-digital/1100-6176808/) from the original on 6 February 2018. Retrieved 28 April 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Gamasutra:_MBO_4-0)** Rose, Mike (11 November 2014). ["Sumo Digital has separated from its parent company"](https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/sumo-digital-has-separated-from-its-parent-company). *[Gamasutra](/source/Gamasutra)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170214002621/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/229849/Sumo_Digital_has_separated_from_its_parent_company.php) from the original on 14 February 2017. Retrieved 28 April 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Handrahan, Matthew (22 September 2015). ["Ian Livingstone CBE joins Sumo Digital"](https://www.gamesindustry.biz/ian-livingstone-cbe-joins-sumo-digital). *GamesIndustry.biz*. Retrieved 28 November 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-The_Times:_IPO_6-0)** Dunkley, Daniel (8 October 2017). ["Games designers line up £150m float"](https://www.thetimes.com/article/games-designers-line-up-150m-float-rt9qskn9c). *[The Times](/source/The_Times)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210414055821/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/games-designers-line-up-150m-float-rt9qskn9c) from the original on 14 April 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Bounds, Andy (6 December 2017). ["Games developer Sumo to seek listing on UK's Aim market"](https://www.ft.com/content/30ab16f0-da9f-11e7-a039-c64b1c09b482). *[Financial Times](/source/Financial_Times)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-GIbiz:_Tencent10_8-0)** Batchelor, James (15 November 2019). ["Tencent buying 10% of Sumo Group"](https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-11-15-tencent-buying-10-percent-of-sumo-digital). *[GamesIndustry.biz](/source/GamesIndustry.biz)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20191115165247/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-11-15-tencent-buying-10-percent-of-sumo-digital) from the original on 15 November 2019. Retrieved 28 April 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-GIbiz:_Pipeworks_9-0)** Handrahan, Matthew (30 September 2020). ["Sumo Group acquires Pipeworks for $100m"](https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-09-30-sumo-group-acquires-pipeworks-for-usd100m). *[GamesIndustry.biz](/source/GamesIndustry.biz)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210331120724/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-09-30-sumo-group-acquires-pipeworks-for-usd100m) from the original on 31 March 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Gamasutra:_Secret_Mode_10-0)** Kerr, Chris (11 March 2021). ["Sumo Group launches Secret Mode to publish in-house and indie projects"](https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/sumo-group-launches-secret-mode-to-publish-in-house-and-indie-projects). *[Gamasutra](/source/Gamasutra)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210414113849/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/378369/Sumo_Group_launches_Secret_Mode_to_publish_inhouse_and_indie_projects.php) from the original on 14 April 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Gamasutra:_Tencent100_11-0)** Kerr, Chris (19 July 2021). ["Tencent agrees to buy UK game company Sumo Group for $1.27 billion"](https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/tencent-agrees-to-buy-uk-game-company-sumo-group-for-1-27-billion). *[Gamasutra](/source/Gamasutra)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210719114354/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/385297/Tencent_agrees_to_buy_UK_game_company_Sumo_Group_for_127_billion.php) from the original on 19 July 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-VentureBeat:_Tencent100_12-0)** Takahashi, Dean (19 July 2021). ["Tencent has agreed to buy video game maker Sumo Group for $1.27B"](https://venturebeat.com/2021/07/19/tencent-has-agreed-to-buy-video-game-maker-sumo-group-for-1-27b/). *[VentureBeat](/source/VentureBeat)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210719114435/https://venturebeat.com/2021/07/19/tencent-has-agreed-to-buy-video-game-maker-sumo-group-for-1-27b/) from the original on 19 July 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-GIbiz:_Auroch_13-0)** Partis, Danielle (14 September 2021). ["Sumo acquires Auroch Digital"](https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-09-14-sumo-acquires-auroch-digital). *[GamesIndustry.biz](/source/GamesIndustry.biz)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210914222535/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-09-14-sumo-acquires-auroch-digital) from the original on 14 September 2021. Retrieved 15 September 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-GIBiz:_Tencent100_14-0)** Batchelor, James (17 January 2022). ["UK High Court approves Tencent's Sumo acquisition"](https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2022-01-17-uk-high-court-approves-tencents-sumo-acquisition). *[GamesIndustry.biz](/source/GamesIndustry.biz)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220117113637/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2022-01-17-uk-high-court-approves-tencents-sumo-acquisition) from the original on 17 January 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Jagex acquires Pipeworks Studio to grow in North America"](https://venturebeat.com/2022/07/21/jagex-acquires-pipeworks-studio-to-grow-in-north-america/). *VentureBeat*. 21 July 2022. Retrieved 21 July 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Writer, Sophie McEvoy Staff (5 September 2023). ["Sumo acquires mobile developer Midoki"](https://www.gamesindustry.biz/sumo-acquires-mobile-developer-midoki). *GamesIndustry.biz*. Retrieved 5 September 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Sumo Group to reduce staff by up to 15%"](https://www.gamesindustry.biz/sumo-group-to-reduce-staff-by-up-to-15). *[GamesIndustry.biz](/source/GamesIndustry.biz)*. 11 June 2024. Retrieved 11 June 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-timbre_18-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-timbre_18-1) Chalk, Andy (11 June 2024). ["One day after trumpeting its big Summer Game Fest reveals, Sumo Group is laying off 15% of its workers and closing Timbre Games"](https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/one-day-after-trumpeting-its-big-summer-game-fest-reveals-sumo-group-is-laying-off-15-of-its-workers-and-closing-timbre-games/). *PC Gamer*. Retrieved 12 June 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-secret_19-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-secret_19-1) Romano, Sal. ["Secret Mode splits from Sumo Group"](https://www.gematsu.com/2025/03/secret-mode-splits-from-sumo-group). *Gematsu*. Retrieved 3 March 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** Muhammad, Isa (26 November 2025). ["Roundtable Interactive acquires Auroch Digital to mark a new chapter for the Bristol studio"](https://www.pocketgamer.biz/roundtable-interactive-acquires-auroch-digital-to-mark-a-new-chapter-for-the-bristol-studio/). *www.pocketgamer.biz*.

## External links

- [Official website](http://www.sumogroupltd.com)

v t e Tencent Services Foxmail iflix JOOX QQ QQLive Qzone Sogou Soso Tencent Animation and Comics Tencent Cloud Tencent Maps Tencent Video Tencent Weibo WeBank WeChat Red envelope Music KuGou Ku Music Asian Music Awards QQ Music QQ Music Awards Tencent Music Universal Music Group Film and television New Classics Media Tencent Pictures Video games Fatshark Fulqrum Publishing Funcom Grinding Gear Games Klei Entertainment Leyou Athlon Games Digital Extremes Miniclip QQ Games Riot Games Radiant Entertainment Sumo Group Auroch Digital The Chinese Room Sumo Digital Supercell Techland Tencent Games LightSpeed Studios TiMi Studio Group Tequila Works Turtle Rock Studios Valhalla Game Studios Visual Arts Key KineticNovel WeGame Yager Development Related 360 v. Tencent Lao Gan Ma fraud case Naspers Prosus People Ma Huateng Allen Zhang Tony Zhang Chen Yidan Chen Xiaonan

Authority control databases: National Czech Republic

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Sumo Group](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumo_Group) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumo_Group?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.