The Xbox-related layoffs appear to be continuing, as reports of layoffs at Ninja Theory are now trickling in on social media. Last month, Xbox confirmed that the studio is very likely to shut down as two attempts to save the studio fell through. Journalist Chris Kerr first reported on the departures, with several employees releasing their own statements about the layoffs on LinkedIn.
Xbox said in its recent “Continuing Our Reset” blog that it would “now begin consultation with employees on a proposed closure while continuing to explore other paths forward” for Ninja Theory. While Undead Labs, Compulsion and Double Fine have found paths to independence from Xbox, Ninja Theory and Arkane are on the path to shut down. Matt Booty noted that “two separate agreements for Ninja Theory fell through,” so it appears to not be for lack of trying.
Those who’ve been laid off include gameplay programmer Katrin Mair; technical sound designer Alessio Mellina; performance capture techs Rachel Kimber and Xoe Suvari; and VGC has confirmed that several others say their jobs are at risk. Mair said in their LinkedIn post, “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.”
While the question of what will happen to Ninja Theory’s projects is comparatively less important, their fate is also currently up in the air. The game that we know for sure was in development was Senua, the third game in the Hellblade series focusing on the titular character. The title was officially revealed at the Xbox Games Showcase last June, and the rumor is that Xbox already knew then that Ninja Theory was on the chopping block.