Headup's Future as an Independent Entity

Following a three-year partnership, Headup has parted ways with Thunderful, with the latter undergoing a restructuring process. According to Dieter Schoeller, Headup's CEO and founder, the separation was amicable, driven by Thunderful's shift in focus towards larger productions. Schoeller notes that Headup may have been too unconventional for Thunderful's streamlined operations. While open to future partnerships, Schoeller emphasizes the need for a compatible approach to entertainment and sustainability. The CEO's key takeaway from the partnership is navigating the current industry climate, particularly the challenges of restructuring and layoffs. Schoeller believes the industry can learn from the US entertainment sector, focusing on the entertainment factor and competing against global giants like Amazon Prime and Netflix. He highlights the success of Terraria as an example of a premium purchase model with long-term maintenance and user-generated content. 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 for smaller studios to enable growth and conquer subsequent projects. The CEO is keen on helping indie studios become sustainable, avoiding marketing pressures during release, and is open to funding within Headup's means.