Sad news has shaken the indie game industry: Heart Machine studio, known for cult projects Hyper Light Drifter and Solar Ash, has found itself on the verge of closure due to the sudden termination of a contract with a key publisher.
Publishing Deal Collapse and Mass Layoffs
Studio founder Alx Preston stated in a post on LinkedIn that an unnamed publishing partner decided to "end cooperation" on an unannounced project. This decision dealt a devastating blow to the team's budget, forcing the layoff of nearly all employees.
Preston called the situation "devastating" and noted:
- The studio team is trying to provide laid-off specialists with all possible support;
- Management is actively helping colleagues find new jobs in the industry;
- The future fate of the studio's upcoming projects currently remains uncertain.
This is yet another reminder of the vulnerability of independent developers amid the current gaming industry crisis.
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