Dino Patti, co-founder of Jumpship, has officially reacquired the studio from Thunderful. The news was shared in an investor update, revealing that all shares in the studio have been transferred to Dino Patti Holding ApS, a company owned by Patti.
Financial Settlement and Cost-Saving Measures
Thunderful also confirmed that it has reached a settlement agreement with Patti and other Jumpship leaders regarding potential claims related to an additional purchase consideration of up to £21 million ($26 million). As part of the transaction, Thunderful will:
- Pay around £750,000 ($929,000) to Jumpship Limited for winding-up costs.
- Waive all loans previously provided to Jumpship, which totaled £1.3 million ($1.61 million) as of December 19, 2024.
This move aligns with Thunderful’s broader cost-saving strategy, which has led to multiple divestments, project cancellations, and mass layoffs.
Thunderful’s Acquisition and Shift in Strategy
Thunderful originally acquired Jumpship in 2022 on the same day the studio launched its debut game, Somerville. At the time, the acquisition was intended to help Thunderful build strong internal IPs and create “impactful narrative experiences.” However, just over two years later, Thunderful is shifting focus towards third-party publishing after admitting to “over-investments” in recent years.
Jumpship’s Future: A Fresh Start
Dino Patti, who is also known as the co-founder of Limbo developer Playdead, took to LinkedIn to announce that Jumpship is now back under his control. However, he acknowledged that the company is currently empty of employees and will require a complete reboot.
“After Thunderful’s acquisition in 2022 and recent changes, I’ve now reacquired the studio. Unfortunately, the company is now empty of employees, so the road ahead will be entirely different. But with every challenge comes an opportunity–it’s always about moving forward with a bold and bright vision.”
Patti stated that he intends to “take Jumpship in a completely new direction and has promised to share more details soon.”
Key Points
- Dino Patti has reacquired Jumpship from Thunderful.
- Thunderful will pay £750,000 ($929,000) in winding-up costs and waive £1.3 million ($1.61 million) in loans.
- Jumpship was acquired in 2022 alongside the release of Somerville.
- Thunderful is shifting focus to third-party publishing due to over-investments.
- Jumpship is currently empty of employees and will require a complete reboot.
- Patti plans to take the studio in a new direction and will share more details soon.