Heart Machine is downsizing and halting the development of Hyper Light Breaker
Heart Machine studio has announced a new wave of layoffs. The reason cited is “circumstances beyond control” and, as a result, the decision to cease development on the action-roguelike Hyper Light Breaker.
Hyper Light Breaker
In a comment to the portal Game Developer, a representative of the studio stated that Heart Machine faced a number of factors beyond their control. Among them are changes in funding and a crisis in the gaming industry.
The Heart Machine's statement does not specify how many people will be laid off. It does not specify what exactly will happen with Hyper Light Breaker, which has been in early access since January. It's possible that the game will simply be released in its current state or after a final patch.
The previous layoffs at Heart Machine occurred slightly less than a year ago—in November 2024. At that time, the studio expressed hope that a successful debut of Hyper Light Breaker would help it recover, but the game was received lukewarmly.