HellbladeandBleeding Edgedeveloper Ninja Theory is reportedly laying off workers after Xbox leadership has been unable to find a solution to keeping the studio operational, whether that is under Xbox or separate from it.
Ninja Theory was acquired by Microsoft as a first-party Xbox Game Studios developer in 2018Sagafor $117 million after releasing games likeEnslaved,DmC: Devil May Cry, andHellblade: Senua’s Saga
The news comes from a Ninja Theory developer on LinkedIn who writes that their role is at risk of redundancy after 12 years with the studio. The technical sound designer does not get into details as to the size and scope of the job cuts, but states that they are looking for new opportunities. Other Ninja Theory now-former employees including one performance capture technician and gameplay programmer also posted similar eulogies for their employment on LinkedIn, as well
The fate of Ninja Theory has been in flux since July of this year, amidst what wasdescribed by Xbox leadership as a “reset,”Xbox announced 3200 job cuts across the division that included planned studio closures and divestures. Ninja Theory and Undead Labs were specifically mentioned as studios that would be spun off under new ownership, with Undead Labssuccessfully divesting from Xboxas an independent studio. Last month, inan Xbox Wire post titled “Continuing Our Reset,”Xbox’s Chief Content Officer Matt Booty mentioned that attempts to find buyers for Ninja Theory have fallen through.
It was reported by Game File in June that Xbox was aware of Ninja Theory’s upcoming fatewhen it announced the new title Senuaat the platform-holder’s presentation adjacent to Summer Game Fest. Game File’s reporting indicated that Microsoft announced the title to generate interest in a buyer for the studio, which ultimately did not materialize.
Game Developer has reached out to Xbox for comment and confirmation, but has not received a reply by time of publication.
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