Revealed in January 2012, it is focused on mobile games for smartphones and became a part of Sega Europe in 2019.

[1] According to Southall, Sega's desire for more development of mobile games led to Hardlight's foundation.

Shortly after its formation, Sega announced that Hardlight was in development on a PlayStation Vita action-adventure game, to be released in late 2012.

[2] According to studio manager Sion Lenton, Hardlight employed 21 employees at this time, in addition to contracted staff, and had a goal of remaining small for the moment.

Hardlight relocated its studio around that time to Leamington Spa, a town with a community of video game developers in the area.

The concept for developing a mobile Crazy Taxi game came from the original Sega AM3 producer, Kenji Kanno.

[2] In April 2019, Hardlight was integrated more closely into Sega Europe, structuring it as one of five "pillars" alongside Creative Assembly, Sports Interactive, Relic Entertainment, and Amplitude Studios.

[8] Neall Jones, formerly of Codemasters, Traveller's Tales, and Eidos Interactive was announced to be the studio's new director;[9] Southall and operations head Harinder Sangha departed for Sumo Digital.

Twynholm acknowledged a desire to bring back Sega franchises in future Hardlight releases.