Layoffs begin at Ninja Theory following Xbox’s mass reset.
The studio behind the Hellblade franchise, Ninja Theory, has begun its layoff process, with former employees who played key roles in its critically acclaimed games sharing farewell messages and heartfelt tributes to their time at the studio.
The Hellblade developer was one of several major studios affected by Xbox’s recent mass restructuring, which saw two attempts to secure deals for Ninja Theory fall through, ultimately leading to the studio’s closure.
Ninja Theory’s closure also comes just a few months after Xbox announced a new game in the Hellblade franchise, Senua. The announcement was widely speculated to be part of Microsoft’s efforts to attract potential buyers for the studio ahead of its impending closure.
Former Ninja Theory employees bid farewell following closure
As spotted by journalist Chris Kerr, several former employees who worked on the Hellblade franchise have come forward to reveal that they have been made redundant or have already lost their jobs.
According to VGC, the following staff members have publicly confirmed their layoffs:
Alessio Mellina (technical sound designer), Katrin Mair (gameplay programmer), Xoe Subari (PCap technician), Loong-Wei Ding (technical director), Matteo Tummino (sound designer), Matt Le-Fevre (senior technical artist), Pietro Berto (character artist), Justin Pedersen (technical artist) and Daniele Galante (principal sound designer).
Former Ninja Theory gameplay programmer Katrin Mair shared a lengthy post reflecting on their time at the studio and the aftermath of the layoffs, expressing sadness that the team will not be able to complete the project they had been working on, likely alluding to the new Senua project.
“After four years, it’s hard to put into words how much this place and the people in it have meant to me,” gameplay programmer Katrin Mair wrote. “I’ve learned an incredible amount, grown so much as a programmer, and had the chance to work with some genuinely brilliant people.
“What I’ll remember most is how much people cared. About the work, about the details, and about each other. I feel very lucky that this was the place where I got to start my career and grow into the programmer I am today.
“It’s incredibly sad knowing that we won’t get to finish what we were working on. So much care, talent and effort went into it, and I really wish we’d had the chance to see what it could have become.”
Ninja Theory was among the many studios affected by Xbox’s mass restructuring, with the latest round seeing Playground Games and Turn 10 merged, Rare and World’s Edge placed under Activision’s umbrella, the next Halo project assigned to Activision, and more. These are part of the second round of the big Xbox reset.
