Heart Machine, Creator of Hyper Light Drifter, Undergoes Staff Reductions

Heart Machine, the creative force behind Hyper Light Drifter, has recently downsized its workforce.

Speaking with Game Developer, the studio confirmed that a “portion” of its team has been let go. Despite this tough decision, Heart Machine has committed to providing those affected with severance packages and continued healthcare coverage for a period of time.

Notably, the studio is ensuring that departing employees receive proper credit for their contributions—something that’s not as common as one might hope. Furthermore, they’ll continue to honor existing revenue-sharing agreements with those team members.

Yiyi Zhang, Heart Machine’s community and PR manager, reassured fans that these layoffs won’t impact the anticipated launch of Hyper Light Breaker. “The upcoming launch remains on track and will, hopefully, generate new opportunities for those affected, as we aim to refine and expand the game during its Early Access phase,” Zhang explained.

Other projects in the works, including Possessor(s), will move forward without any interruptions. “We deeply appreciate the support from our community and others who have rallied around studios in similar situations. We’re optimistic about what’s ahead for our upcoming titles, our talented colleagues, and the gaming industry overall,” Zhang added.

Heart Machine gained recognition for its 2016 release, Hyper Light Drifter, and is now working on its sequel, Hyper Light Breaker, scheduled for Early Access in 2025. Fortunately, these staff changes aren’t expected to impact its development.