The studio behind Hyper Light Drifter, Heart Machine, has voluntarily acknowledged a union.

Heart Machine, an independent game development company known for Hyper Light Drifter, has acknowledged the formation of a union within its workforce.

According to a release on the Communications Workers of America's website, the employees at Heart Machine have established a comprehensive union. The Hollywood Reporter notes that this union includes 13 employees.

In February, employees approached the management about unionizing and requested voluntary recognition of their union.

Steph Aligbe, a gameplay tools engineer and member of CWA Local 9003, explained: “I got involved in organizing my studio to support the crucial work we all cherish. Seeing others in the industry take a stand motivated me. We must protect what we love, especially now.”

The union takes pride in the studio's decision to recognize it voluntarily, aligning with its labor-friendly principles, and looks forward to negotiating a first contract that ensures a secure workplace.

In a statement to Game Developer, Aligbe mentioned: "The industry's evolving landscape means fewer chances to create games as we used to. With a crowded media space, it's crucial to foster a team environment where time, care, and creativity can thrive to produce exceptional work."

Heart Machine has recently undergone three rounds of staff reductions. In 2024, an unspecified number of staff members were laid off, followed by another round 13 months later. Shortly after, the studio implemented additional layoffs just 12 days before the release of Possessor(s), published by Devolver Digital.

This unionization effort at Heart Machine comes after the CWA played a role in organizing nearly 4,000 employees across various Microsoft-owned studios, including Id Software, Bethesda, and Blizzard.