- Xbox only announced Senua at its showcase to attract investors to buy the studio.
- Microsoft had already decided that the developer needed to close down before the showcase.
- The gaming giant is giving the studios threatened by closure a chance to go independent.
Reports regarding Xbox studios in the past few days have shaken the gaming industry to its core. In a bid to reset the company in the next 100 days, the gaming giant is reportedly closing multiple developers, including Compulsion Games and Dishonored creator Arkane.
However, the most surprising aspect of this ordeal is that Ninja Theory, the studio behind the Hellblade IP, is also under threat despite just revealing a new title at the Xbox Games Showcase. As it turns out, this move was intentional, and talks had already started about the developer’s closure.
Why it matters: From the reports, it feels like the strategy to focus on big IPs and close studios that develop more niche titles has been in the pipeline for quite a while at Xbox.
As reported by Game File, Microsoft only revealed Senua at the recent Xbox Games Showcase to drum up investor interest in developer Ninja Theory. The company thought that the promise of a new title, which is set to launch in 2027, would make the studio more appealing to potential buyers.
According to sources close to the American giant, Microsoft had already planned to shut down Ninja Theory or split with the Hellblade developer before the showcase. In addition, it is unclear if the decision to reveal Senua was made with the blessing of the studio or not.
In the last 8 years, Ninja Theory has only managed to develop 2 games, leading many to speculate that the threat of layoffs or permanent closure was already looming. However, revealing the developer’s upcoming AAA title while planning to shut it down doesn’t look good on Microsoft’s part.
Xbox is reportedly going to allow studios under its care to negotiate a buyout and go independent if they want to escape closure. Hence, one can only hope the Senua creator can find a way out of this situation.
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Shameer Sarfaraz has previously worked for eXputer as a Senior News Writer for several years. Now with Tech4Gamers, he loves to devoutly keep up with the latest gaming and entertainment industries. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and years of experience reporting on games. Besides his passion for breaking news stories, Shahmeer loves spending his leisure time farming away in Stardew Valley. VGC, IGN, GameSpot, Game Rant, TheGamer, GamingBolt, The Verge, NME, Metro, Dot Esports, GameByte, Kotaku Australia, PC Gamer, and more have cited his articles.
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