Report: Ninja Theory Looking for Buyer After Xbox Closure Call

Ninja Theory, the Xbox-owned studio behind Hellblade, is reportedly facing closure and hoping to find a buyer, according to a new report. The news lands at an awkward time for Xbox, coming just days after Ninja Theory announced Senua, a new action-adventure game set in the Hellblade universe and planned for release in 2027.

The Verge reports that staff at the Cambridge-based studio were told on a call on Monday that Xbox is closing down Ninja Theory, though employees are hoping the studio can find a buyer. Microsoft has not publicly confirmed the closure, and The Verge noted that Xbox did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Senua Was Announced Less Than Two Weeks Ago

The timing is what makes the report especially notable. On 7 June 2026, Xbox published an official feature on Senua, describing it as a “full-on action-adventure” that follows on from Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II while moving the series into a broader gameplay format.

According to Xbox Wire, the game is designed to expand the scope of combat, add more puzzle-solving, and introduce more freedom of exploration. Ninja Theory studio head Dom Matthews also said the project is not being called Hellblade III because it represents a “fresh and new and different” direction for the series.

Senua is currently listed for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and PC, with a 2027 release window. That makes the reported closure particularly unusual, as the studio had only just returned to the spotlight with a major cross-platform announcement.

Other Xbox Studios Are Reportedly At Risk

Ninja Theory is not the only Xbox studio reportedly caught up in the restructuring. Bloomberg, as summarised by Gematsu and Game Informer, reported that several Xbox studios, including Compulsion Games, Double Fine Productions and Ninja Theory, are in negotiations to spin off from Microsoft or avoid closure.

The same reports suggest that some studios may have the opportunity to buy themselves back and become independent, although that could still lead to significant job losses. Game Informer also reported that employees at affected studios had been made aware of the situation and given permission to look for new work.

Xbox’s Wider Reset Is Now Hitting Its Studios

The reports follow Microsoft’s recent “Xbox Reset” memo, published on Xbox Wire on 10 June 2026. In the message, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and chief content officer Matt Booty said the business needed to “reset” and acknowledged that Xbox had become “over extended” after expanding its studio system to support subscription, streaming and device strategies.

The memo also pointed to wider business pressures, including rising component costs, declining annual revenue outside Activision Blizzard King, and the need to reassess Xbox’s investment priorities over the next five years.

For Ninja Theory, the immediate question is whether a buyer or independence deal can be found before the reported closure becomes final. For players, the bigger uncertainty is what happens to Senua, which was only just positioned as the next major step for one of Xbox’s most recognisable narrative-focused studios.

FAQ

Is Ninja Theory shutting down?

According to The Verge, Xbox is closing down Ninja Theory, and staff were reportedly informed on a call. Microsoft has not publicly confirmed the closure.

Is Ninja Theory looking for a buyer?

Yes, according to the report, Ninja Theory employees are hoping the studio can find a buyer as Xbox moves to close it.

What happens to Senua?

The future of Senua is currently unclear. The game was announced on 7 June 2026 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC with a 2027 release window, but the reported studio closure has put its status in doubt.

Which other Xbox studios are reportedly affected?

Reports from Bloomberg, The Verge and other outlets say Compulsion Games, Double Fine Productions and other Xbox-owned studios are also at risk or in negotiations about possible spin-offs.

Written by

Share

Copied