Hyper Light Drifter Studio Heart Machine Announces Major Layoffs

Heart Machine

Heart Machine, the developer of Hyper Light Drifter and Solar Ash, has announced major layoffs, with nearly everyone at the studio affected.

Studio founder Alx Preston shared the regretful news on LinkedIn. According to Preston, the studio had been working on an undisclosed title funded by a publisher, who decided to end its collaboration with the studio. The founder explained that the studio has no other funding secured for the near future, which led to major layoffs affecting "nearly everyone."

"We had been working on an unannounced title, funded by a publisher. This week, they decided to no longer move forward with it. Without this key income for the studio, any other immediate prospects or other funds, nearly everyone at the studio had to be laid off. It's devastating."

Preston promised to provide the affected employees with "as much support as possible, including assisting with placement." He also said that he is unsure what the future holds for the studio, adding that the team will continue working to find a way forward for Heart Machine.

"Navigating an increasingly challenging industry has been extremely difficult, and I'm not sure yet what's next for Heart Machine to survive. However, we'll keep pushing to build a path while we are still here."

Heart Machine

Hyper Light Drifter (2016) was the studio's first project, with Heart Machine founded in 2013 to support its development. The game was crowdfunded, surpassing its funding goal and going on to receive critical acclaim and several nominations at gaming awards.

Solar Ash (2021) is set in the Hyper Light Drifter universe but is not a direct sequel, and it also moved away from the pixel-art style of the original. The studio's other projects include Hyper Light Breaker (2023), a prequel to Hyper Light Drifter, and Possessor(s) (2025), a 2D side-scrolling action game.

Heart Machine reportedly carried out two round of layoffs last October about a year ago before the Possessor(s) release. A year before, the studio also let go of a "portion" of its staff, as Hyper Light Breaker neared its Early Access launch.