Heart Machine has released an official statement concerning the layoff in the studio and the end of work on Hyper Light Breaker. The number of employees affected in this layoff round remains unknown.
“As we wrap up our work on Hyper Light Breaker, we’ve had to make the difficult decision to part ways with a number of talented team members,” the developer said in the official statement.
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“This was not our ideal path, but rather the only one available given the circumstances. While this path will include a conclusion on the project, it reflects broader forces beyond our control, including shifts in funding, corporate consolidation and the uncertain environment many small studios like us are navigating today”.
The sad news doesn’t mean the end of Heart Machine. The studio confirmed that they will continue making games as a “smaller core team”. The studio thanked the community of players who have contributed to their projects.
Notwithstanding ending work on Hyper Light Breaker and laying off employees, Heart Machine still has something coming in January. Possessor(s) was not impacted by the layoffs and will release on 11/11 as planned.
“We plan to deliver something meaningful and as polished and complete as we can given our current circumstances,” the studio said. “We’re doing our best to refine what we can, complete key systems, and have the game culminate in a satisfying punctuation point.”
Due to the smaller team, the studio said it can no longer host Q+As for the rest of 2025. Also, Hyper Light Breaker will get no further updates. This is to help the team focus on the game releasing in January and get it “into the best shape possible”.
Devs impacted by Heart Machine layoffs speak
Several former employees of Heart Machine have posted about being laid off on social media. Senior animator Anna Vrieling wrote, “Unfortunately, my time at Heart Machine is coming to an end. After 3 years with the Hyper Light Breaker team, I’m seeking a new role and would appreciate your support. Saying goodbye to such a talented team is difficult, but I am excited to bring my talents to new opportunities”.
According to audio lead and sound designer Alex Johnson, who spent five years with the studio, saying goodbye was difficult. Johnson was part of the audio team that worked on Hyper Light Breaker and Possessors.
“It seems like my time at Heart Machine is coming to an end by the end of October and I will have to be looking towards new pastures,” wrote 2D VFX animator, Ivan Phu. “It’s been a lovely 3 years working with amazing people at Heart Machine and I’ve managed to make some awesome and talented friends.”
Other Heart Machine employees who posted about being laid off include junior designer Cameron Razavi, QA manager Cameron Mohr, and lead environment artist Meagan Glennon.
Heart Machine was founded in 2013 and has its headquarters in Los Angeles, California. The studio always emphasizes its non-tolerance for crunch and promotes its supportive and diverse working environment.
