As the gaming world anticipates the release of Possessor(s) on November 11th, Heart Machine, known for titles like Hyper Light Drifter and Solar Ash, faces turbulent times. The indie studio is grappling with its second wave of layoffs in less than a month, raising concerns about its future.
Heart Machine Faces More Layoffs
Reports suggest that Heart Machine has experienced a second round of layoffs this month. After confirming initial layoffs at the start of October and ceasing further development on Hyper Light Breaker, several former developers have taken to social media to share their departure. At least four ex-employees confirmed their job losses on Bluesky, with one expressing doubts about the studio’s stability: “Heart Machine has just laid off a bunch more people, effective immediately. By the time Possessor(s) comes out on November 11th, I don’t know if anyone who worked on the game will even be at the company anymore.”
Impacts of the Layoffs
One developer, with nearly six years at Heart Machine, shared their layoff experience online. While the total number of affected employees remains unclear, the studio has not issued a new statement since the previous wave of layoffs. With Possessor(s) nearing its launch, a formal update might only come post-release. Reports highlight this as the third layoff in less than a year, portraying a challenging period for the studio.
Uncertain Future for Heart Machine
This series of layoffs paints a grim picture for Heart Machine, which has been a stalwart in the indie gaming scene for over a decade. Its iconic game, Hyper Light Drifter, remains a favorite among indie titles, but the studio’s future feels precarious as it struggles to finalize and release Possessor(s). The gaming community hopes Heart Machine can navigate through these difficulties and find a path to continue its creative journey beyond the release of its latest title.
Heart Machine’s future seems uncertain as it faces its second wave of layoffs just weeks before the release of Possessor(s).