Another rough industry week landed on September 16: Heart Machine studio head Alx Preston said nearly everyone at the Los Angeles studio had been laid off after the publisher funding an unannounced title decided not to continue.
What Preston said
Without that publisher income, immediate replacement deals, or other funds, Preston wrote that nearly the whole team had to go — calling the moment devastating. He closed by saying he’s not sure what’s next for Heart Machine to survive, but that they’ll keep trying to build a path while they can.
Context
Heart Machine made Hyper Light Drifter (2016) and Solar Ash (2021). Earlier in 2026 the studio voluntarily recognized a wall-to-wall CWA Local 9003 union after a supermajority of eligible staff organized. The layoff news is a reminder that even critically known indie brands sit one canceled funding line away from a cliff.
Source: Gaming.net reporting on Preston’s Sep 16, 2026 LinkedIn post.