"Nearly everyone" laid off at Hyper Light Drifter devs Heart Machine after publisher drops unannounced game

Heart Machine, the US-based developers of Hyper Light Drifter, Hyper Light Breaker, and Possessor(s), have recently laid off a significant portion of their workforce due to an unnamed publisher withdrawing funding for their next unannounced game. Studio founder Alx Preston revealed the layoffs on LinkedIn, expressing that Heart Machine as an entity would persist, but in a precarious state.

The announcement came after the publisher decided to withdraw funding for the studio's upcoming title, leaving the studio without a primary source of income. Preston emphasized that the studio remains committed to providing support to those affected, including assistance with job placement. The founder also acknowledged the challenges the games industry faces, stating that the studio will continue to work on finding a path forward.

Heart Machine has a history of game releases, including their 2016 debut Hyper Light Drifter and 2021's sci-fi surfer Solar Ash. However, recent titles have faced mixed reviews and challenges, such as the early access release of Hyper Light Breaker and the cancellation of Possessor(s). While the layoffs are undoubtedly unfortunate, Preston's statement highlights the ongoing difficulties faced by the games industry, where constant job cuts seem to be a common response to financial struggles.