Heart Machine Faces Closure After Publisher Drops Unannounced Title, Leading to Mass Layoffs
Heart Machine, the studio behind Hyper Light Drifter, is at risk of shutting down after a publisher withdrew funding for an unannounced project. Studio head Alx Preston announced on September 16, 2026, that nearly all remaining staff were laid off due to the loss of this critical income. The studio’s recent titles, including Hyper Light Breaker and Possessor(s), failed to gain traction, leading to previous cuts and a failed Patreon pivot. While Preston expressed uncertainty about the studio's survival, he committed to finding a path forward and assisting displaced employees with job placement.