According to The Verge, Microsoft has decided to close the British studio Ninja Theory, known for the Hellblade series. Employees were informed during an internal call, but part of the team still hopes that a buyer can be found for the studio.
The situation seems particularly unexpected, as just a week ago at the Xbox Games Showcase 2026, the studio presented a new project called Senua — a continuation of the Hellblade heroine's story, planned for release in 2027. The developers positioned the game as a larger adventure with expanded world exploration, combat system, and puzzles. Now, the future of the project remains uncertain.
Sources claim that the closure of Ninja Theory is happening amidst a large-scale "reboot" of the Xbox gaming division. Earlier reports indicated that other Xbox studios, including Compulsion Games and Double Fine, are negotiating a possible separation from Microsoft to avoid a similar fate.