Heart Machine
CompanyUnited States · Founded 2013
Documents about Heart Machine
Game Developers Conference33 min
Applying 3D Level Design Skills to the 2D World of Hyper Light Drifter
Core level design principles are fundamentally universal, transcending the technical divide between 3D action titles and 2D environments.
- Level design principles are highly transferable between 3D and 2D; core concepts like 'prospect and refuge'—the contrast between vulnerable open areas and safe, enclosed spaces—remain effective regardless of the game's dimensionality.
- Instead of using a subtractive 'sculpting' method to block out levels, designers can use a metrics-driven approach by establishing fixed distances for movement and combat, then growing the level outward from those connected pieces.
- In 2D overhead games like Hyper Light Drifter, designers can effectively use camera locks to isolate combat encounters, forcing player focus and creating distinct, self-contained pacing beats.
Game Developers ConferenceSep 2017
Game Developers Conference23 min
Still Grooving: Game Dev Life Set to Live Music
This presentation explores the emotional and professional realities of independent game development, focusing on the lifecycle of the title Hyper Light Drifter.
- Developers should prioritize creative 'love' and thematic resonance over exhaustive perfectionism, as the core player experience is defined by atmosphere rather than just mechanical systems.
- The labor invested in game development acts as a value multiplier, where thousands of hours of team effort can generate hundreds of years of collective engagement for the global player base.
- A sustainable career requires rejecting rigid work-life balance models in favor of a fluid, rhythmic approach to productivity that emphasizes intentionality and variety.
Game Developers ConferenceAug 2017
Extra Credits9 min
How Games Speak - Learn the Language of Design - Extra Credits
Game design functions as a sophisticated language, utilizing a system of arranged elements to communicate complex ideas and experiences to players.
- Game design functions as a hierarchical language consisting of three layers: isolated, associative, and dynamic meaning.
- Dynamic meaning is the most potent layer, utilizing narrative twists and systemic responses to create a dialogue that explores complex themes like violence or human relationships.
- Associative meaning occurs when individual elements are combined to create experiences greater than the sum of their parts, such as linking visual recoil and sound effects to define combat feel.
Extra CreditsJul 2017
Game Developers Conference60 min
The Sound and Music of Hyper Light Drifter
The audio development of Hyper Light Drifter centers on the creation of a unique, immersive sonic identity through experimental recording techniques and a highly iterative collaborative process.
- The audio team utilized unconventional field recording techniques, such as using a stethoscope modified with a garden hose spigot to record internal body sounds like blood flow, which were then processed and distorted to create ambient textures for boss battles.
- To achieve a unique, 'nightmarish' aesthetic, the developers used a 1950s wire recorder—purchased for $250—to capture and manipulate raw, historical audio, creating distorted textures that predated modern digital recording artifacts.
- The sound design process relied heavily on extreme processing of organic sounds, such as recording the creator's own voice squealing like a pig or using wolf vocalizations, which were then pitch-shifted and layered to create distinct, terrifying creature audio.
Game Developers ConferenceMay 2017
Game Developers Conference74 min
The 2017 Game Developers Choice Awards
The 2017 Game Developers Choice Awards served as a comprehensive celebration of the industry’s evolution, balancing commercial blockbusters with innovative independent titles.
- Overwatch was named Game of the Year at the 2017 Game Developers Choice Awards, reflecting its significant cultural impact during that period.
- The 2017 awards ceremony formally recognized the industry's expansion into new platforms by establishing a dedicated virtual reality category, with Job Simulator winning the inaugural award.
- Pokémon Go was highlighted for its role in driving mobile innovation, underscoring the industry's shift toward diverse and accessible gameplay experiences.
Game Developers ConferenceMar 2017