Stories
Microsoft-Owned Ninja Theory Begins Layoffs as Staff Confirm Job Losses
- •Employees at Cambridge-based developer Ninja Theory have begun confirming job losses and redundancy consultations on LinkedIn.
- •Affected staff include gameplay programmers, technical specialists, sound designers and technical artists.
- •The layoffs follow failed deals to transition the studio to new ownership after Microsoft announced major restructuring.
- •Microsoft has not yet announced a final decision to completely shut down the studio, leaving the future of the new Senua project uncertain.
- •Xbox is scheduled to hold an all-hands town hall on October 6, which may provide further clarity on the restructuring and the studio's fate.
Key Questions Answered
Following the failure of two potential arrangements involving Ninja Theory, Microsoft began consultations regarding a possible closure for the Cambridge developer. However, Microsoft has not announced a final decision to shut down the studio and continues to consider alternative options.
Ninja Theory employees, including technical specialists, gameplay programmers, sound designers, and technical artists, have begun publicly confirming job losses and redundancy consultations. Among those affected is gameplay programmer Katrin Mair.
Senua, the next game in Ninja Theory’s Hellblade series, was unveiled in June during the Xbox Games Showcase and is planned for release in 2027 on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation 5. Microsoft has not announced the cancellation of the project, although the studio's current situation makes its timetable harder to assess.
