The acquisition represents a significant strategic milestone for Reforged Studios as it continues building a premium, developer-first publishing platform designed to support independent studios worldwide. 

At a time when independent developers face increasing funding pressure and heightened competition for visibility, the combination of Headup’s curatorial expertise with Reforged’s expanding international infrastructure creates a strengthened home for studios seeking sustainable publishing partnerships. 

Headup will continue doing what it does best – publishing and supporting standout indie games – now backed by Reforged’s wider network and expertise. Besides managing Headup’s operations, Dieter will also contribute to Reforged’s strategic growth as Chief Publishing Officer at group level, reporting directly to the founders.  

Peter van der Watt, CEO of Reforged Studios, said: 

“Headup has built one of the most respected and carefully curated portfolios in independent publishing. Their reputation has been earned through consistent developer advocacy and a clear editorial vision. Bringing that capability into Reforged materially strengthens our publishing platform and accelerates our long–term growth strategy. 

This acquisition is not about consolidation for its own sake. It is about building a durable publishing home for ambitious independent creators.”

Dieter Schoeller, Founder of Headup, said: 

“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.”

The acquisition forms part of Reforged Studios’ broader ambition to combine independent creative culture with institutional–grade infrastructure – enabling studios to scale without compromising identity. 

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Headup’s team remains unchanged, with no job losses or redundancies as part of the acquisition.