Heart Machine, the creative minds behind the beloved game Hyper Light Drifter, has recently experienced some staff reductions. In a candid conversation with Game Developer, the studio revealed that a segment of its team had been let go. Despite this difficult decision, Heart Machine assured that those affected would receive severance pay and healthcare assistance for a designated period.
The company also emphasized its commitment to recognize the hard work of the departing team members by offering them proper credits—a gesture not commonly seen in the industry. Moreover, they promised to honor the existing revenue sharing agreements with these employees.
Yiyi Zhang, the community and PR manager at Heart Machine, addressed the situation with optimism. “The upcoming launch of Hyper Light Breaker won’t be delayed by this unfortunate development. On the contrary, we anticipate that a successful launch could open up new opportunities for those impacted, as we continue to enhance and expand the game during its Early Access phase.”
She also reassured fans that other ongoing projects, like Possessor(s), would carry on without any disruptions. “We deeply value the support we’ve received from our community and others who have shown solidarity with studios in similar circumstances. We’re looking forward to what lies ahead for our future titles, our talented colleagues, and the gaming industry overall,” Zhang added.
Heart Machine has built its reputation with the 2016 hit Hyper Light Drifter and is currently focused on its sequel, Hyper Light Breaker. Scheduled for an Early Access release in 2025, this project remains on track despite the recent changes in the team.
