Senua Used as a Business Card: Microsoft's Secret Maneuvers for the Future of Ninja Theory

The restructuring program of Microsoft's XBOX division continues, with surprising and, in some cases, questionable decisions. The case of Ninja Theory is a clear example. A report outlines what has happened in recent weeks. This is a particularly peculiar situation that also suggests a certain level of confusion at Microsoft, which is grappling with a gaming division that still doesn't seem to have found the right direction.

What Happened

On June 7th, during the Xbox Games Showcase, the debut of Senua, a new title from Ninja Theory that enriches the Hellblade franchise, took place. According to journalistic reconstructions, however, Microsoft had long decided to close or sell Ninja Theory. The choice to present the game at the event, therefore, would have been linked to the desire to attract potential investors, in order to reach a transfer of the studio, without having to opt for a drastic decision like closure. It is unclear whether the development studio was involved in this project.

As we've seen in recent days, Microsoft intends to reduce the number of development studios. The internal restructuring directly involves Ninja Theory. The situation is therefore particularly delicate (even if there are no official announcements in this regard). At this moment, Ninja Theory is reportedly negotiating with Microsoft to avert closure, perhaps while waiting for new investors, and to return to being an independent studio. The situation will need to be monitored closely in the near future. The fate of Ninja Theory and the new Senua project is still to be written.