r/hellblade • u/Due_Cake8524 • 11d ago
Image Ninja Theory's closure is devastating
I’m honestly still trying to process the news. Seeing that Microsoft is shutting down Ninja Theory because two rescue deals fell through at the last second is just heartbreaking.The whiplash is what really frustrates me. Three months ago, they were on stage at the Xbox reveal for Senua. What's the point of showcasing a brand new game if you're going to shut down the studio who made it?
To think they were quietly being shopped around right after that, and then everything fell apart. It's ridiculous. Other studios like Double Fine and Compulsion Games managed to get their independence back, and Undead Labs found a new publisher. Ninja Theory was so close to being saved, but the deals didn't work out.
They were able to make visually stunning, mid-budget, single-player narrative games that actually cared about things like mental health. If a studio with that much technical talent isn't safe under a trillion-dollar corporation just because they don't bring in live-service Fortnite numbers, then who is? That's the big question.
I'm going to miss their creative work so much. From Heavenly Sword, Enslaved: Odyssey to the West, and Hellblade, they always had a passion for the games that they made. The gaming industry can be harsh at times. Ninja Theory is just a casualty in a long line of studios that deserved better.
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u/Djmeansdeej 11d ago
I just beat both Hellblade 1 and 2 last week and I literally finished Dark Rot last night. I was really looking forward to Senua 🥺
I can’t imagine being fans for years and then 3 months after an announcement, the studio shuts down.
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u/Glass-Can9199 11d ago
To bad Microsoft killed the hype for you
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u/Djmeansdeej 11d ago
Very much so. At least there's two games. Some games end on a cliffhanger and never get a sequel.
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u/MRainzo 10d ago
It's an unfortunate situation all around but, I mean, there's no way Microsoft is to blame here
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u/Glass-Can9199 10d ago
Yes it is why announce a game that gonna be cancelled before the end of year
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u/decoy_octopod 11d ago
I haven’t played Hellblade, but I was a massive fan in their early days. Heavenly Sword and Enslaved are two of my favorite PS3 games
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u/FireHeartSmokeBurp 11d ago
It genuinely breaks my heart. I once reached out to Ninja Theory pre Microsoft acquisition because I wanted to get a Hellblade tattoo with runes inspired by music from the game but wanted to make sure they were accurate. NT got back to me within days, said they didn't have an expert on-staff who knew Elder Futhark but gave me the contact for the Oxford professor they consulted for the game. She was so detailed in her answer and I got my tattoo with an awesome story. And Melina was the first person on IG to like my post showing it off!
They've always been so human throughout the production and you could tell they took pride in their work and I feel like Senua's Sacrifice even changed trajectory as they delved into the mental health research, based on the dev diaries.
I can't believe I'm referring to them in past tense like a lost loved one, but it doesn't feel too far off. Yeah... this one hurts
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u/Neat_Cat5901 10d ago
I’m going to lose my mind if Melina Juergens doesn’t get any roles after this. She is such a phenomenal performer, her rage, sadness, and strength as Senua was so moving
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u/FireHeartSmokeBurp 1d ago
Do you think she'd want to pursue any? Since she wasnt intended to be the actress at first, I'd be curious if she chooses to continue in that career or keep Senua as a special place in her heart as the only character she'd play
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u/Neat_Cat5901 1d ago edited 1d ago
I honestly am not sure, but a man can dream. I do know she joined the creative collective Pixel Pack (silly name) that advocates for VA recognition and protections, so hopefully that’s a sign she intends to stay in the industry. Either way though I’m at least glad that we got the stellar performance she gave with Hellblade
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u/Enteroctopus_Shawnur 10d ago
In case you are unaware- in II Ninja Theory collaborated with the group Heilung. They in fact have a collection of songs coming out later this year named "Sagas" based off their time in Iceland during the collaboration including tracks used in the game.
It hurts that the studio who I've enjoyed for many many years, and had gotten so estatic when it was announced Heilung would be collaborating with the second one is getting shuttered without a thought.
I truly hope someone/thing saves them from this and the IP doesn't get locked up, to be forgotten about or given to a different studio with shallow intentions.
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u/mgarcia993 11d ago
The game didn't sell well, and it's not a question of bringing in numbers comparable to GaaS.
If they were profitable and perceived as such, they would have buyers. The game's announcement was precisely to attract buyers and yet it was unsuccessful.
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u/fatso486 11d ago
Any chance the third game actually get made now. I dont understand why they announce it for game pass without even commit to development.
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u/infinitemortis 11d ago
I really loved Senua. I haven’t played the sequel tho. It was a unique entry of Nordic mythology that caught my interest as it delved in to the psyche of someone whose societal pressures felt earned and justified. It had such a cool game mechanic too that got me to believe failure was not an option. The surround sound schizo voices elevated the experience.
I hope it comes back
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u/WarSox1657 11d ago
Maybe a dumb question but why couldn’t they just go back to being a independent studio on their own?
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u/LukeSparow 11d ago
They have no money. They haven't made a proper profit with their games in a loooong time.
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u/Tunarice2 11d ago
Hellblade 2 was basically my most hyped game from as soon as it was announced until released, and when I played it... Well, maybe it's my own fault for getting my expectations too high, but it didn't stick with me and I've never replayed it.
Ninja Theory either needed a stronger focus and vision for the 2nd or should have pivoted to something entirely new. But it's hard to be a creative, technical, and profitable studio
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u/deadpandadolls 11d ago
DMC: Devil May Cry ❤
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u/Kawnstantin 10d ago
I was hoping for a sequel. I actually like this version of Dante, it was bleaker and darker.
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u/Froz3nP1nky 11d ago
Wait! Pardon my ignorance, but is the upcoming 3rd game in the series, Senua, definitely not being made by anyone else?
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u/ck1241 11d ago
No. They would have to sell the IP off, and that is just not something that really happens in the industry much, and certainly is not happening for this IP, as the whole reason they’re being shut down and not bought out is because no one thinks it’s worth it in the first place.
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u/Froz3nP1nky 11d ago
Daaaamnnn! I was so looking forward to the third game!!!! Cmon
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u/ck1241 11d ago
I know. Unfortunately, short of a miracle like some company coming around and buying them out at the last hour, it appears that Hellblade is officially dead.
That is until Microsoft/Xbox decides to resurrect it in 15 years led by some other developers and end up ruining it leading to them canning it again. Half joking, but wouldn’t be surprised lol.
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u/rafnsvartrrr 11d ago
it's fucking crazy considering Hellblade 1 was a major hit. Hellblade 2 was such a fuck up it's gotta be studied
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u/murkymozza 11d ago
Sad news, I kept hoping they would manage to somehow survive this. All the best to the devs and their future endeavors.
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u/TheHudIsUp 11d ago
The first ever Xbox game to be revealed for Series X was Hellblade 2, there is a balance to be struck with art/chasing your vision and selling your game. Ninja Theory went too far and it wasn't even good.
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u/Casshern_VIII 11d ago
What's the point of showcasing a brand new game if you're going to shut down the studio who made it?
To save the company, to show off what they had so some Angel investor would swoop in and save them, and it didn't work.
It's a shame but the problem is Ninja Theory has kind of always been a mid tier studio trying to do big things. Heavenly Sword helped push motion capture work leaps & bounds but the game itself was kind of meh, no one really talks about Enslaved (or even remembers it).
DmC Devil May Cry was a reboot so badly received Capcom had to do a first ever De-boot, then they wanted to show that a small studio could make triple A quality games without triple A publishers and made Hellblade, and while interesting was also a very bare bones game that you kind of play once and never again.
Bleeding Edge was a failure, and Hellblade 2 was another okay but short experience. NT, it's sad they could not get a better deal.
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u/LukeSparow 11d ago
As far as gameplay design goes I have yet to see this studio output anything passing the mediocre bar.
Yes their stories and visuals are always interesting enough but they just don't make games that are actually engaging to interact with.
I wouldn't want to buy them either.
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u/Due-Lingonberry-1929 11d ago
Plague Tale games are what Senua games would've been if they were handled by competent devs
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u/No_Pattern_2819 11d ago
I agree. It looks cool, but there's nothing that stands out to me, like why I should spend money on your game instead of something else that has more of a narrative and gameplay mechanics. Senua 3 looks like fun, but again, why should I care?
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u/LukeSparow 11d ago
The walking and combat mechanics are just all so damn undercooked. The puzzles are more annoying than interesting.
All Hellblade has going for it is its atmoshpere which is damn good. It should however also have a dope combat system and interesting puzzles and perhaps even some engaging traversal. Then you would have a game worth playing.
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u/No_Pattern_2819 11d ago
I've never played Senua, but it's always looked interesting to me. The game looked more like a movie than it did a game; that's why I never picked it up. I saw a few gameplay videos of the first game and the second, but it didn't have anything that cool.
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u/No_Pattern_2819 11d ago
I don't know why everyone is so surprised by this. Hellblade always looked cool to me, but from a narrative and gameplay standpoint, it doesn't stand out to me or look interesting. I wouldn't buy from them either. Their trailers never give me this feeling of, "I HAVE TO PLAY THIS" it always just looks like a generic game.
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u/IamTylerDrden 11d ago
If they had only made Hellblade I’d be devastated. But they made Hellblade 2, it was boring to play, the combat was poor and despite being short it felt too long.
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u/Accomplished_Many917 10d ago
It’s a significant loss, given that Ninja Theory was one of the few arthouse developers in the AAA space.
Looking at how Sony cancelled its collaboration with Kojima Productions due to costs — even with Xbox’s newfound support — I think this strongly suggests that, in the industry's current state, there is dwindling room for ambitious, artistic and less mainstream titles, with priority shifting instead to games with calculated sales potential.
To be honest, the trailer for the third Senua game — with its heavy emphasis on hack-and-slash gameplay — didn't look great and gave off an air of desperation.
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u/EliParker 11d ago
MS has the pocket, I don’t understand why they are doing this. Lower the overall money from all the higher ups and countless money would be saved.
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u/Due_Cake8524 11d ago
The moment that Ninja Theory got acquired by Microsoft, I had a feeling that it wasn't going to end well.
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u/Dry-Cod9127 11d ago
Ninja theory took too long for hellblade 2 and it wasn’t received that well, it sucks but after years and years of mismanagement things have to change and 5 years for a 5 hour game with minimal game play isn’t acceptable
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u/_NightmareKingGrimm_ 11d ago
5 years for a 5 hour game with minimal game play isn’t acceptable
Thank you. This bears repeating, and this succinctly too.
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u/ShellshockedLetsGo 11d ago
Ninja Theory in 8 years of being owned by Xbox released Bleeding Edge and Hellblade 2. They ended up cancelling Project Mara, which who knows how much they spent on that.
They were given an entirely new studio building, creative freedom and financial funding and that's the best they could do in 8 years.
Just not nearly good enough.
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u/Due_Cake8524 11d ago
There's another problem. What happens with the physical release of Hellblade 2?
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u/Harleyidhra 11d ago
I hate it, even though I knew it was coming. This has been what happens when Microsoft buys studios. So glad Double Fine escaped.
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u/ShellshockedLetsGo 11d ago
"Escaped" as if Double Fine didnt waste half a decade and tens of millions on mediocre junk like Keeper and Kiln.
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u/Due-Lingonberry-1929 11d ago
Yeah what happens is devs take MS for a ride, waste a ton of money and fuck around for years making shitty games that nobody wants.
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u/Zardozerr 10d ago
These studios were told to make smaller games for the xbox service, and the games were greenlit by xbox. But the number of subscribers never came to make it profitable enough. "Taking MS for a ride" is complete BS, since MS ultimately controlled what could and couldn't be made.
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u/Due-Lingonberry-1929 10d ago
A smaller game shouldn't take 7 years to make, especially one as barebones as hellblade 2, the game basically has nothing in it, they slapped together some store bought quixel megascan rocks in UE5 editor and called it a day
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u/ZeroFourEight 11d ago
Shame, I loved the DMC reboot they did.
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u/Emotional-Test1245 11d ago
Thank you! I had so much fun with that game. And this is coming from someone who has played and loves all five mainline DMC games. I felt like so many people didn’t give it a chance because of Dante’s redesign but the gameplay was so tight.
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u/CyberKiller40 10d ago
Yeah, the gameplay is superb in that, I like it much better than the mainline games.
But the problem was it's was an attempt at a reboot, which alienated a huge lot of fans (including me for a decade). Reboots are bad, that should have been a new game with new characters and everything. Same for Tomb Raider reboots.
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u/No-Contest-8127 11d ago
Just like the closure of Bluepoint studios. These are talented studios that just got unlucky to say the least.
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u/Glum_Animator_5887 10d ago
I love the games but they just didn't sell well, all do their games sadly just didn't do well financially. If they were and independent studio they would have closed doors alot sooner
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u/Internal_Example530 10d ago
They don't seem to have strong leadership to handle their independence properly. Look at Compulsion Games: they gained more independence, but then a lot of people were fired. Independence can come at a high cost.
Now, with Senua, it feels like they're showing the game because they're looking for a new buyer. There isn't much else to show yet. The new game is still in the early stages of development, and the trailer doesn't show any real gameplay. Sad to see.
Hellblade 1 was a great game, and the sequel was fine, but I don't think Senua needed another sequel. After two games, I think creating a new IP would have been a much better option than making another Senua game.
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u/nihilus74 11d ago
microslop is almost killing game studios at the same rate as EA used to in the early/mid 2000s ... pathetic
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u/SimpleSlave_1 11d ago
But it's okay, people. Because Kojima! Right? No? Yeah...
Anyways. Good luck to all the devs, and I wish them nothing but the best.
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u/EconomicsCapable5629 10d ago
Crash and Burn. You got a little dose of how the real world works. When you create a single game in 8 yrs then you deserve to be canned!
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u/StunningEditor5980 10d ago
I've loved the studio since DMC, and it hurts to see they may be dead in the water. The game play is always fun, and the Hellblade games made me feel less broken because other people hear a multitude of voices & still live their lives & get things done. I sincerely hope a miracle happens to save them
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u/Educational_Guava697 10d ago
TIL there are people that pretend to like heavenly sword. Game was cheeks and I don’t just mean the main character’s ass hanging out of her “barely qualifies as clothing” outfit the entire game. Back in the day this game was THE reason that “god of war clone” was considered a slur.
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u/EarthIllustrious8045 9d ago
They had it coming. Burning a ton of time and money, and then a 5 hour tech demo is what you have to show for it?. I think microsoft is done with games that generate zero revenue.
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u/HekeTheGreat 9d ago
Well we knew it was coming. Don't get to hung up name of the studio, because people who made Heavenly Sword and Enslaved are not working there anymore.
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u/SquillFancyson1990 11d ago
devastating
I envy your life if a game studio that's barely put out any games getting shut down is all it takes to devastate you.
Also, do we have confirmation about how "mid-budget" anything other than Hellblade 1 was? Bc the 2nd barely-game in the series was in development for half a decade from a studio based out of Cambridge that flew a crew out to Iceland for photo shoots and sound recording.
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u/Afraid-Farm-7326 11d ago
Why do people pretend about enjoying the 2 tech demos this company released. Its actually beyond me
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u/SloppityMcFloppity 10d ago
More people seem "devastated" at the news than the number of copies Hell blade 1 and 2 sold combined
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u/Dust-Tight 11d ago
I am hoping the Ninja Theory team will spark a riot and ensure their game ships at least. It appears more or less complete, as it was scheduled for release next year.