Heart Machine, the indie developer behind the acclaimed Hyper Light Drifter, has laid off nearly its entire staff and faces potential shutdown. The studio's future remains uncertain following the restructuring.
Heart Machine disclosed the layoffs through social media, confirming that the studio has dismissed most of its workforce. The developer did not provide specific details about the number of employees affected or the reasons behind the decision.
Hyper Light Drifter, released in 2015, became a critical and commercial success, earning praise for its art direction, soundtrack, and gameplay. The game cemented Heart Machine's reputation in the indie gaming community.
The studio was working on Hyper Light Breaker, a sequel that entered early access in 2023. Development status for the project remains unclear following the layoffs.
The closure would mark another casualty in a challenging period for indie developers, who have faced funding pressures and market consolidation. Several notable independent studios have downsized or shut down operations in recent months as industry conditions tighten.
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