Heart Machine lays off nearly all staff after publisher drops unannounced game
The studio behind Hyper Light Drifter is at risk of closure after a publisher withdrew funding for an unannounced title, founder Alx Preston said.
Heart Machine has laid off “nearly everyone” at the studio after a publisher decided this week not to proceed with an unannounced, publisher-funded game, founder Alx Preston said.
Preston said the loss of the project removed a key source of income, while the studio had no immediate prospects or other funds available. “It’s devastating,” he said in a LinkedIn post cited by Engadget.
He said Heart Machine’s future was uncertain and that he was not sure what would happen next or whether the studio could survive. No closure has been confirmed, and the number of layoffs was not disclosed.
Heart Machine developed and published Hyper Light Drifter, which launched to critical acclaim in 2016. It later worked with external publishers on Solar Ash and Hyper Light Breaker, while Possessor(s) was released last year.
The studio ended development on Hyper Light Breaker and laid off workers in October 2025. Some remaining employees unionised in March 2026.
