Headup's Future as an Independent Entity

The amicable separation between Headup and Thunderful in January 2024 marked a rare instance of companies parting ways on good terms. According to Dieter Schoeller, CEO and founder of Headup, the split was a result of Thunderful's shift in focus towards larger productions, rendering indie development a non-core aspect of their business. Schoeller notes that the partnership's demise was not due to bad terms, but rather Thunderful's need to concentrate on their strategy, which had undergone significant changes with three CEOs and four CFOs in three years. Additionally, Headup may have been too quirky for Thunderful, particularly as the corporation sought to streamline its operations. While open to future partnerships, Schoeller emphasizes that it would depend on the offer and the value proposition, preferring collaborations with companies that share Headup's approach to entertainment and product sustainability. One of the key takeaways from the partnership was navigating the current climate of restructuring, as evidenced by Thunderful's 20% workforce reduction in January 2024. Schoeller takes pride in having never laid off anyone in Headup's 15-year history and aims to maintain this sustainability. He believes the industry, particularly in Europe, can learn from the US entertainment sector, focusing on competing with time and entertainment rather than just production and money. Schoeller highlights the importance of finding fair and acceptable free-to-play models for core players, citing Terraria's success as an example. As an independent company, Headup faces new challenges, but Schoeller is optimistic about the future, emphasizing the need for a solid support network and funding to enable indie developers to grow and thrive. He acknowledges the difficulties faced by smaller studios, including lack of government funding and network support, and is committed to helping them become more sustainable. By working closely with Valve and focusing on getting through the first layer of visibility on platforms like Steam, Schoeller aims to help indie studios break even with a faithful audience of around 20,000 players. Despite the challenges, he remains optimistic about future successes for indie studios supported by Headup, citing past hits like Bridge Constructor as examples of the company's potential. Ultimately, Schoeller views Headup as an indie rock band, doing what they do best, and having been profitable for 15 years, they must be doing something right.