"Even if I knew how it would end, I would do it again": Hellblade developers Ninja Theory appear to have kicked off the redundancy process
Ninja Theory staff report redundancies after Microsoft’s failed acquisition attempts, with developers sharing farewell messages and uncertainty over an unfinished project.
Ninja Theory developers have begun publicly acknowledging risks of redundancy following Microsoft’s announcement that acquisition deals for the studio fell through. Posts on LinkedIn from multiple team members confirm their roles are now at risk, with some explicitly stating they are seeking new opportunities. The studio, known for Hellblade, has not issued an official statement regarding the redundancies.
Technical Sound Designer Alessio Mellina detailed his 12 years at Ninja Theory and his focus on dynamic audio systems using UE Blueprint scripting and Wwise integration. Performance capture technician Xoe Suvari reflected on their tenure with a poignant message, quoting a colleague’s sentiment about the studio despite its uncertain future. Gameplay programmer Katrin Mair expressed sadness over the potential abandonment of an unreleased Senua game, praising the team’s efforts and camaraderie.
Additional staff, including Technical Director Loong-Wei Ding, sound designers Matteo Tummino and Daniele Galante, senior technical artist Matt Le-Fevre, and character artist Pietro Berto, have also posted about redundancies or job searches. The staggered announcements suggest either phased staff notifications or individual decisions to process the news privately before going public.
The developments follow Microsoft’s confirmation that two acquisition deals for Ninja Theory collapsed after the studio’s separation from Xbox. The studio’s future remains unclear as affected employees navigate the redundancy process and seek new roles in the industry.