Heart Machine, the creative team behind the acclaimed Hyper Light Drifter, recently announced that they’ve had to cut a considerable number of their staff. Sharing this development with Game Developer, the studio stated that some employees had been let go. However, they assured that those affected would receive severance packages and continued healthcare support for a certain period.
Heart Machine went a step further by committing to crediting those who were laid off—a practice not often seen in the industry. They also promised to uphold revenue sharing agreements with the former employees, which highlights their commitment to fair treatment.
Yiyi Zhang, Heart Machine’s community and PR manager, reassured fans by stating that the unfortunate layoffs would not delay the launch of Hyper Light Breaker. Instead, they see a successful and timely release as a way to create new opportunities for anyone impacted. They emphasized that the evolution and growth of the game during Early Access is still on track.
Moreover, Zhang confirmed that their other projects, like Possessor(s), will proceed as planned without any disruptions. Zhang expressed gratitude towards the gaming communities who have shown tremendous support during this challenging time. The team remains optimistic about the future of their upcoming games, their colleagues, and the gaming industry overall.
Known for the captivating 2016 release of Hyper Light Drifter, Heart Machine is eagerly working on its sequel, Hyper Light Breaker, set to enter Early Access in 2025. The development timeline remains unchanged, despite the recent staff reductions.
