Heart Machine, the creative force behind the popular game Hyper Light Drifter, has recently reduced its workforce. A portion of their team has been let go, according to a statement provided to Game Developer. The company assured that those impacted will receive severance packages and continued healthcare coverage for a period of time.
In a notable move, Heart Machine also emphasized their commitment to recognizing the contributions of these employees by including them in the game’s credits, which is not always standard practice. Additionally, the company will maintain its revenue-sharing agreements with the affected staff members.
Yiyi Zhang, the community and PR manager at Heart Machine, reassured fans that the development of Hyper Light Breaker remains on track. “Despite this unfortunate news, the upcoming launch of Hyper Light Breaker will proceed as planned. A successful and timely release could reopen doors for those affected as we continue to expand and improve the game during its Early Access phase,” Zhang expressed.
Furthermore, Zhang confirmed that other projects, such as Possessor(s), would not be impacted. “We deeply appreciate the overwhelming support from our community and other industry peers facing similar challenges. We look forward with optimism to the future of our projects, colleagues, and the wider gaming industry,” they stated.
Heart Machine is renowned for their 2016 hit Hyper Light Drifter and is currently focused on its follow-up, Hyper Light Breaker, which is slated to enter Early Access in 2025. The recent layoffs seem not to affect this timeline.
