It's another day of bleak news for the industry. Alx Preston, the founder of Hyper Light Drifter studio Heart Machine, has announced that the studio is facing closure after a key publisher "decided to no longer move forward" with an unannounced title, resulting in "nearly everyone" on the team being laid off.
In a message shared on Preston's LinkedIn, the founder described the news as "devastating," noting that "everyone will be provided with as much support as possible, including assisting with placement".
"Navigating an increasingly challenging industry has been extremely difficult, and I’m not sure yet what’s next for Heart Machine to survive," Preston continues. "However, we'll keep pushing to build a path while we are still here".
You'll find Preston's full statement below:
We had been working on an unannounced title, funded by a publisher. This week, they decided to no longer move forward with it. Without this key income for the studio, any other immediate prospects or other funds, nearly everyone at the studio had to be laid off. It's devastating.
Everyone will be provided with as much support as possible, including assisting with placement. If you know of any roles for extraordinarily talented, kind people, please reach out and we will coordinate.
Thank you so so much to all of the incredible people who contributed their efforts and talents to making amazing things at the studio. Thank you to our amazing community and fans.
Navigating an increasingly challenging industry has been extremely difficult, and I’m not sure yet what’s next for Heart Machine to survive. However, we'll keep pushing to build a path while we are still here.
سەرچاوەی فەرمی بە زمانی ئینگلیزی: https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2026/09/hyper-light-drifter-studio-forced-to-lay-off-nearly-everyone-as-publishing-deal-falls-through
