Reforged Studios Welcomes Headup to the Party
Reforged Studios has fully acquired Headup, the acclaimed German independent games publisher behind globally recognised titles including Bridge Constructor, Pumpkin Jack and Super Meat Boy 3D, bringing the indie publisher into its growing family and adding further strength to its roster.
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.
About Reforged Studios
Reforged Studios is a growing international games group focused on supporting creative talent and delivering high–quality, player–centric gaming experiences. Through strategic acquisitions and collaborative partnerships, Reforged is building a diversified portfolio of studios and publishing capabilities designed to empower creators and serve global audiences.
Reforged was founded by Peter van der Watt, Colin Anderson and Ross Laurie - a team spanning the early days of Grand Theft Auto through to modern AAA, indie and technology ventures.
Peter van der Watt is a BAFTA-winning founder who built Blazing Griffin from a three-person startup into a multi-million-pound studio. Colin Anderson began his career at DMA Design (now Rockstar North), contributing to the original Grand Theft Auto before senior roles at Rockstar, Epic Games and Denki. Ross Laurie is a technology entrepreneur focused on building and scaling digital platforms, with experience spanning e-commerce, fintech and emerging technologies.
About Headup
Headup is an established, founder–led, grassroots publisher showcasing unique games across all major platforms, driven by a passion for true alternatives to the mainstream, a love for the medium, and a commitment to amplifying partner studios’ visibility.
Headup was founded by Dieter Schoeller, who has spent almost two decades championing independent games and has gone from Quake 3 modding to building an award–winning indie publisher.