Heart Machine affected by second round of layoffs

Los Angeles-based studio Heart Machine has announced an unspecified amount of job cuts.

As reported by Game Developer, Heart Machine said it parted ways “with a number of talented team members” as it winds down development on its early access title Hyper Light Breaker.

“This was not our ideal path, but rather the only one available given the circumstances,” it said.

“While this path will include a conclusion on the project, it reflects broader forces beyond our control, including shifts in funding, corporate consolidation and the uncertain environment many small studios like us are navigating today.”

Heart Machine clarified that while it still has “something coming in January” for Hyper Light Breaker, the game will “culminate in a satisfying punctuation point.”

“We plan to deliver something meaningful and as polished and complete as we can given our current circumstances,” the developer added.

“We’re doing our best to refine what we can [and] complete key systems […] Given our limited resources with team members rolling off the project, we won’t be releasing any more updates or hosting any Q+As for the rest of this year.”

It concluded: “We want to make sure the team can focus fully on getting this next release into the best shape possible.”

Hyper Light Breaker launched in early access earlier this year.

In November 2024, Heart Machine laid off a “portion” of its team.

Hyper Light Breaker was in development at the time, and the studio clarified that it would “not be impeded” by job cuts.

“A strong and timely launch will rekindle opportunities for those affected as we look to evolve and grow the game throughout early access,” it said at the time.