Heart Machine's Layoff Impact and Upcoming Projects

Heart Machine, a renowned US-based developer, has recently faced a round of layoffs. This comes as a shock to the gaming community, especially considering the success of their previous titles like Hyper Light Drifter. The company has confirmed that a "portion" of its workforce has been dismissed, leaving many employees uncertain about their future.

Severance and Healthcare for Impacted Staff

Heart Machine has shown its commitment to its affected staff by providing severance and healthcare for several months. This gesture not only provides some financial stability during this difficult time but also shows the company's respect for its employees. In addition, the studio has promised to credit those who were laid off and honor any revenue sharing agreements, ensuring that their contributions are not forgotten.

Hyper Light Breaker's Launch

Community and PR manager Yiyi Zhang has assured GameDeveloper that the upcoming early access launch of Hyper Light Breaker will not be impeded by the job cuts. In fact, she believes that a strong and timely launch will rekindle opportunities for those affected. Hyper Light Breaker is an open-world online rogue-lite with procedurally generated worlds, and it is expected to launch in early access in 2025. This game has the potential to be a major success and bring new life to the studio.

Possessor(s) and the Studio's Future

It is also worth noting that the studio's other project, Possessor(s), is said to be unaffected by the layoffs. This gives hope that the studio will be able to continue its creative work and deliver more exciting games in the future. While the layoffs are a setback, it seems that Heart Machine is determined to move forward and build on its success.