Reforged Studios acquires Headup Games to strengthen indie publishing platform
Summary
Reforged Studios acquires German indie publisher Headup Games for an undisclosed fee
Deal positions Reforged as a stronger developer-first publishing platform with expanded global reach
Headup's team remains fully intact with no job losses
Headup founder Dieter Schoeller appointed chief publishing officer at group level
"This acquisition is not about consolidation for its own sake. It is about building a durable publishing home for ambitious independent creators."
01
Deal overview - strategic milestone for indie publishing
Reforged Studios fully acquires Headup Games, a German independent publisher known for Bridge Constructor, Pumpkin Jack, and Super Meat Boy 3D
Financial terms were not disclosed
The deal follows Headup's prior sale by Thunderfull to Microcuts Holding (controlled by Schoeller) for €500,000 in 2023
Headup will continue operating under its existing structure, now supported by Reforged's broader infrastructure and international network
02
Leadership - Schoeller steps into expanded group role
Headup founder Dieter Schoeller retains operational management of Headup
Schoeller also appointed chief publishing officer at Reforged group level, reporting directly to the founders
"This wasn't about chasing scale - it was about finding the right people. Reforged is built by people who genuinely understand games, and that alignment allows us to grow without losing what makes Headup special."
03
Strategic fit - developer-first platform building
Reforged, founded in 2023, positions itself as a developer-first acquirer focused on supporting teams, not absorbing them
Headup brings a curated indie portfolio and strong reputation for developer advocacy
"Their reputation has been earned through consistent developer advocacy and a clear editorial vision. Bringing that capability into Reforged materially strengthens our publishing platform."
The acquisition is described internally as a "significant strategic milestone" in Reforged's platform-building roadmap
04
What's next - continued acquisition momentum
Reforged completed three acquisitions in 2024 alone: Ground Shatter (Fights in Tight Spaces), Extra Mile (Broken Sword co-dev), and Yellow Lab Games
Adding Headup accelerates Reforged's global publishing footprint and indie support capabilities
Further developer acquisitions are likely as Reforged scales its publishing network
Explore more: platform-building roadmap for publishers
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