Heart Machine, the team behind the popular game Hyper Light Drifter, has recently undergone staff reductions.
In a conversation with Game Developer, the studio revealed that they have let go of a “portion” of their workforce. Despite this tough decision, Heart Machine assured that affected employees would receive severance pay and continue to have healthcare support for a period of time.
Remarkably, the company also committed to giving due credit to those who were laid off—a practice not typically seen in the industry. Alongside this, they confirmed that any revenue-sharing agreements previously in place with these employees would still be honored.
Addressing concerns about their projects, Yiyi Zhang, the studio’s community and public relations manager, stated that, “The anticipated launch of Hyper Light Breaker will proceed as planned. This unfortunate situation will not hinder its release. In fact, a successful and timely launch could open new doors for those impacted as we continue to enhance the game during its Early Access.”
Zhang also emphasized that other projects, such as Possessor(s), remain on track, saying, “We are grateful for the incredible support from our community and others in similar situations. We remain optimistic about what lies ahead for our future games, our colleagues, and the gaming industry overall.”
Known for their hit game Hyper Light Drifter from 2016, Heart Machine is actively developing its sequel, Hyper Light Breaker, which is scheduled to enter Early Access in 2025. Thankfully, it seems these layoffs have not affected its progress.
