Heart Machine ends development on Hyper Light Breaker mere months after it entered early access

Heart Machine has ended development on Hyper Light Breaker and is laying off a number of staff as a result.

The roguelike released into early access at the start of the year but has been met by a mixed reaction. It followed the successful Hyper Light Drifter and studio follow-up Solar Ash.

Heart Machine confirmed the news to Game Developer, but has not confirmed how many employees have been laid off.

“As we wrap up our work on Hyper Light Breaker, we’ve had to make the difficult decision to part ways with a number of talented team members. This was not our ideal path, but rather the only one available given the circumstances,” reads a statement from the studio.

“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.”

The studio previously laid off staff in November last year, but stated at the time “a strong and timely launch will rekindle opportunities for those affected as we look to evolve and grow [Hyper Light Breaker] throughout Early Access”. It seems the game’s poor reception has not allowed the studio to follow through.