Heart Machine, Creator of Hyper Light Drifter, Reduces Staff

Heart Machine, the creative force behind the acclaimed Hyper Light Drifter, has recently made some staff reductions. The studio confirmed to Game Developer that a number of employees had been let go. However, they assured that these individuals would receive severance pay and healthcare coverage for a certain period.

Interestingly, Heart Machine plans to credit the contributions of these former employees—something not all companies do—while also upholding existing revenue-sharing agreements.

Yiyi Zhang, the community and PR manager for Heart Machine, reassured fans that the upcoming release of Hyper Light Breaker remains on track. “Despite this unfortunate news, we’re committed to a strong and timely launch that might even open up new possibilities for those affected. We’ll continue to evolve and expand the game during its Early Access phase,” she stated.

Zhang also mentioned that their other projects, like Possessor(s), would proceed without any disruptions.

“We’re truly grateful for our supportive communities, who have shown immense solidarity not just for us but for others in similar situations. We remain optimistic about the future of our upcoming titles, the well-being of our colleagues, and the industry’s overall direction,” Zhang added.

Originally known for their 2016 hit Hyper Light Drifter, Heart Machine is hard at work on its sequel, Hyper Light Breaker, slated to enter Early Access in 2025. Despite the layoffs, development on this project continues unhampered.