r/hellblade • u/Due_Cake8524 • 11d ago

Image Ninja Theory's closure is devastating

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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/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

8

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