It seems that the gaming industry is experiencing some shifts, with publishers like Secret Mode emerging as notable players. Founded in 2020 as part of Sumo Group, Secret Mode has built a reputation for unique indie titles, such as A Little to the Left and Still Wakes the Deep. Since becoming independent in 2025, they have reached new milestones, including the upcoming release of Star Wars: Galactic Racer on October 6.
At Gamescom, the team discussed their streamer-oriented game, Chained Together, which recently launched a 2v2 mode to enhance its replayability and appeal to content creators. This game exemplifies a trend towards chaotic co-op experiences, a direction Secret Mode is keen to expand on, especially given the success of their horror co-op game, Escape the Backrooms.
However, the popularity of such games has led to an influx of low-effort clones, challenging original developers to maintain their edge. Secret Mode highlights the importance of innovation and understanding market trends, with over 12 million players enjoyed Chained Together.
As they look to future projects, including more co-op titles and expanding partnerships with indie developers, Secret Mode’s strategy focuses on adaptability and continuous engagement with both gamers and developers.
