Ninja Theory reports redundancies after failed Xbox sale attempts
Eurogamer and Kotaku report Ninja Theory staff face redundancies after two sale or transfer attempts failed.
- According to the reporting, two sale or transfer attempts failed, after which Xbox reportedly continued exploring other options for the studio.
- The situation comes amid Xbox’s wider restructuring, which in July 2026 included 3,200 planned layoffs.
What happened
Eurogamer reported on 5 October 2026 that Ninja Theory, the UK studio behind the Hellblade series, is facing redundancies. The report points to LinkedIn posts from employees saying they had been laid off or that their roles were at risk. Kotaku and other sources link those posts to an ongoing consultation process within the studio.
The situation is tied to Xbox’s broader restructuring in July 2026, when Microsoft announced 3,200 planned layoffs. Later reporting named Ninja Theory as one of the studios affected by those cuts. According to the sources, Xbox had previously tried to secure the studio through a sale or transfer so Ninja Theory could continue working on Senua.
That effort is said to have fallen through twice. Xbox reportedly then said it would keep looking at other options for the studio. The sources do not mention a final decision to close the studio, and they do not confirm how many employees are affected by the redundancies.
Timeline
2018 — Microsoft acquires Ninja Theory and places the studio under Xbox Game Studios.
2024 — Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II launches.
July 2026 — Xbox announces a major restructuring with 3,200 planned layoffs.
Later in 2026 — Reporting on Xbox mentions a second wave of cuts.
Before 5 October 2026 — Xbox reportedly tries to transfer or sell Ninja Theory to keep the studio going.
Before 5 October 2026 — Two sale deals fail, followed by a consultation process.
5 October 2026 — Eurogamer reports that Ninja Theory staff are facing redundancies and layoffs have already begun.
2018 — Microsoft acquires Ninja Theory.
2024 — Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II launches.
July 2026 — Xbox announces 3,200 planned layoffs.
5 October 2026 — Eurogamer reports that Ninja Theory staff are facing redundancies.
Background
Ninja Theory is best known for the Hellblade series, including Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice and Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II. Microsoft acquired the studio in 2018, after which it operated as a first-party developer within Xbox Game Studios.
The available sources do not confirm exactly how many people are affected, or whether the studio will ultimately be sold, continued, or closed. What is clear is that a consultation process is underway, and that Xbox reportedly tried twice to arrange a sale or transfer solution.