adminNinja Theory layoffs have begun, according to posts from employees affected by the proposed closure of the Hellblade developer. The reports offer an early indication of staff departures, but the total number of people affected has not been confirmed.
Ninja Theory layoffs reported by employees
Game Developer news editor Chris Kerr noted posts from affected staff on LinkedIn. The updates indicate that job cuts are underway after Xbox announced a consultation process about potentially closing the studio.
In September, Xbox said it had proposed closing Ninja Theory and was consulting with employees. The company said two separate agreements to sell the studio had fallen through, while it continued to explore other options. A proposed closure and a consultation process do not, by themselves, confirm the final outcome for every employee, so the distinction matters when interpreting the reports.
For readers following the story, the available information currently comes from employee posts and reporting about those posts. The number of roles affected and the final status of the studio remain unclear.
Employees share details of the impact
IGN reported that gameplay programmer Katrin Mair, who worked at the studio for four years, said it was upsetting that the team might not finish its work. She also noted the care, talent and effort invested in the project, and expressed regret that the team might not get to see its full potential.
IGN also identified technical director Loong-Wei Ding and performance capture specialist Xoe Suvari among the employees affected. Technical sound designer Alessio Mellina, who has spent 12 years at Ninja Theory, was reported to be at risk of redundancy. Being at risk does not necessarily mean a role has already been eliminated; it describes a potential outcome during the process.
No confirmed figure has been given for the number of staff affected. Because individual employment updates can appear before a company-wide total is available, any estimate should be treated cautiously unless it is confirmed by the studio or Xbox.
What happens to the next Hellblade project?
Ninja Theory had been working on Senua, the third Hellblade game, which Xbox announced at its June showcase. Employee comments indicate concern that work on the project may not be completed, but the available reports do not confirm its final status.
The situation follows other changes across Xbox’s studios. In September, Xbox transferred the UK studio Rare and ownership of the Halo franchise to Activision, and made wide-ranging cuts at Halo Studios after earlier reports of planned layoffs. These developments provide context for the broader changes, but do not establish how many Ninja Theory employees will be affected.
What is confirmed about Ninja Theory layoffs?
Employee posts indicate that layoffs have started, following Xbox’s proposed closure and consultation announcement. The company had said that two potential sale agreements fell through and that it was exploring other paths forward. The number of affected employees, the final decision about the studio and the future of Senua remain unconfirmed in the reports available so far.
In short, Ninja Theory layoffs are being reported by staff, while important details are still unresolved. Readers should distinguish confirmed employee updates from unanswered questions about the studio’s future and the third Hellblade game.
