Hyper Light Breaker Winds Down Development, Staff Laid Off
Heart Machine, the developer of Hyper Light Drifter, has announced it is winding down development on its Early Access title Hyper Light Breaker after the studio confirmed it is laying off staff.
Hyper Light Breaker entered Early Access in January 2025 after a series of delays, and now, developer Heart Machine is ending development on the Hyper Light Drifter prequel due to what the studio calls “broader forces beyond our control.”
In a statement to Game Developer, said that it was being forced to cut jobs and that while winding down developement was not the “ideal path,” it is “the only one available given the circumstances.”
What Went Wrong with Hyper Light Breaker?
After a large portion of its developers were laid off in November 2024, Heart Machine hoped the Early Access launch of Hyper Light Breaker the following January would “rekindle opportunities.” However, due to “funding, corporate consolidation, and the uncertain environment” of game development, the studio is forced to end support for the game.
Many studios, particularly indie developers, are struggling with the increasing cost of game development, and unfortunately, Heart Machine, its staff, and its community are the latest to be impacted.
The Impact on the Team
Layoffs have unfortunately become an increasing trend in the industry, and Heart Machine says it remains “deeply grateful” to everyone who helped build the studio and its games.
While the studio has not confirmed how many staff it has let go, it promises to continue building games as a “smaller core team” and said it will support those impacted by the layoffs.
What’s Next for Heart Machine and the Franchise?
Heart Machine remains committed to creating games with its smaller team, and while it has not spoken about the future of the franchise, Hyper Light Breaker is still getting an update in January.
The servers for Hyper Light Breaker will remain online, so players can still enjoy it with friends. However, there will be no significant updates or new content for the game moving forward.
Conclusion
Hyper Light Breaker, the prequel to Hyper Light Drifter, is being wound down by developer Heart Machine. The studio has confirmed layoffs and promises to continue building games with a smaller team. What do you think about the news? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Fueled by a passion for gaming and the ever-evolving world of gaming news, Daniel loves connecting with seasoned and new players to bring games to life on the page, exploring their narratives and gaming trends. A self-published fiction and fantasy author, Daniel has nearly 20 years of experience writing gaming news and a love for storytelling that drives his enthusiasm to deliver breaking news, in-depth analysis, and industry innovations. You will find him in-game as "Windfell."
Download the Allkeyshop Browser Extension Free
For all the latest video game news, trailers, and best deals, make sure to bookmark us.
You can find all the best and cheapest online deals on CD keys, game codes, gift cards, and antivirus software from the verified CD key sellers on our store pages.
To not miss any news on Allkeyshop, subscribe on
Google News
.
MORE RELEVANT ARTICLES
