Alx Preston

Founder of Heart Machine and creator of Hyper Light Drifter

Alx Preston at a glance

Known for: Hyper Light Drifter, Solar Ash and Hyper Light Breaker
Based in: United States
Indie since: 2013
Active products: Hyper Light Drifter, Solar Ash and Possessor(s)

Facts checked 2026-10-22

About Alx Preston

Alx Preston is an American game designer and former animator who founded Heart Machine, the Los Angeles-area studio behind Hyper Light Drifter and Solar Ash. Born with congenital heart disease, he named the studio after the medical devices that track his health and drew on his illness for Hyper Light Drifter's story of a sick wanderer.

Preston launched a Kickstarter for Hyper Light Drifter in 2013 asking for US$27,000 and raised more than $640,000, which let him hire a core team including programmer Beau Blyth and composer Disasterpeace. The pixel-art action RPG, a mix of A Link to the Past and Diablo, released in 2016 to strong reviews. He also helped set up a shared office space in Culver City for Los Angeles indie developers.

Heart Machine grew to around 25 people for the 3D game Solar Ash (2021, Annapurna Interactive), then made Hyper Light Breaker (early access 2025) and the 2D action game Possessor(s) (2025, Devolver Digital). In October 2025 the studio ended Hyper Light Breaker development with layoffs, and in September 2026 Preston said nearly everyone had been laid off after a publisher pulled support for an unannounced game.

Products by Alx Preston

Hyper Light Drifter

store.steampowered.com

Pixel-art action RPG about a dying Drifter exploring a ruined world.

$640K+ raised on Kickstarter

Solar Ash

store.steampowered.com

3D action-platformer set inside a black hole, published by Annapurna Interactive.

Hyper Light Breaker

store.steampowered.com

shutdown

3D co-op roguelite prequel; development ended in 2025.

Possessor(s)

store.steampowered.com

2D side-scrolling action game published by Devolver Digital.

Timeline

2013 — Founded Heart Machine and raised over $640K on Kickstarter for Hyper Light Drifter.
2016 — Released Hyper Light Drifter.
2021 — Released Solar Ash with Annapurna Interactive.
2025 — Released Possessor(s); ended Hyper Light Breaker development.
2026 — Announced that nearly all Heart Machine staff had been laid off.

How Alx builds

Tell personal stories through wordless games.
Under-promise in crowdfunding, then add stretch goals.
Share space and knowledge with other indies.

Alx Preston FAQ

Who is Alx Preston?

Alx Preston is an American game designer and former animator who founded Heart Machine, the Los Angeles-area studio behind Hyper Light Drifter and Solar Ash.

Who made Hyper Light Drifter?

Hyper Light Drifter was created by Alx Preston and his studio Heart Machine, with programmer Beau Blyth and composer Disasterpeace. It released in March 2016.

How much did Hyper Light Drifter raise on Kickstarter?

Its 2013 Kickstarter asked for $27,000 and raised more than $640,000.

Is Hyper Light Drifter based on Alx Preston's life?

Partly. Preston has congenital heart disease, and the Drifter's illness is a metaphor for his own health struggles.

What happened to Heart Machine?

Heart Machine ended Hyper Light Breaker in October 2025 with layoffs, and in September 2026 Preston said nearly everyone had been laid off after a publisher dropped an unannounced project.