Heart Machine, known for being the developer of the acclaimed Hyper Light Drifter, is going through tough times after a series of layoffs caused by low sales and mixed reviews of its recent title, Hyper Light Breaker, released in early access. Financial difficulties led the company to conduct a second round of layoffs, this time focused on the team working on the video game Possessor(s), just weeks before its scheduled release.
Some layoffs that have not been well received by the community
The layoffs have raised questions among players about whether they should continue to financially support Heart Machine. A user on the Steam forums expressed that “it’s hard to support developers when they can no longer see a cent from a game.” This opinion reflects the discontent of some community members, who hesitate to purchase a game if the developers responsible for its creation have been laid off before its release.
However, Devolver Digital, the publisher of Possessor(s), has confirmed that all eligible team members for revenue sharing will continue to receive their share, regardless of their current employment situation. Tyler Hutchinson, narrative director of Possessor(s), urged players to buy the game, highlighting the hard work of the team and their commitment to the project. He stated: “I see video games as modern cathedrals; it is the culmination of hundreds of hours of work.” Additionally, he emphasized that the commercial success of the game could help developers find new job opportunities.
Possessor(s) is scheduled to be released on November 11 and has received positive reviews in previous demonstrations. As the release date approaches, the community is closely watching both the game’s performance and the fate of its creators.
