Heart Machine has made the difficult announcement that it will halt development on Hyper Light Breaker and will be laying off several employees.
Background of Heart Machine
The studio, known for its hit titles such as Hyper Light Drifter (released in 2016) and Solar Ash (published by Annapurna in 2021), introduced Hyper Light Breaker to Steam Early Access in January.
Game Overview and Reception
Unlike its predecessor, which is an overhead pixel art action-adventure, Hyper Light Breaker adopts a third-person polygonal style, reminiscent of the evolution seen in the Zelda series transitioning from 2D to 3D.
During its Early Access, mixed user feedback characterized the game, with 67% of approximately 2,580 reviews on Steam labeled as Positive.
Development Update
In a statement to Game Developer, Heart Machine confirmed that Hyper Light Breaker’s Early Access will come to a close after nearly nine months, signaling the end of its development.
Heart Machine expressed regret over the layoffs, stating, “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 studio emphasized that this decision was unavoidable given the circumstances.
Broader Implications
The studio noted that the conclusion of this project reflects broader challenges in the gaming industry, including fluctuations in funding, corporate consolidation, and the precarious landscape many small studios are facing today.
Previous Team Changes
Last November, the studio previously laid off some staff but had hoped that the timely release of Hyper Light Breaker could provide new opportunities for those affected.
Development Timeline
Originally slated for Early Access in 2023, the game’s launch faced multiple delays that ultimately pushed it back by two years.
