Key information
Last month, Xbox announced plans to close Hellblade developer Ninja Theory after two rescue deals failed to materialize. The consequences of this decision are now unfolding as affected studio employees share farewell messages on LinkedIn, a trend highlighted by journalist Chris Kerr. These widespread posts indicate that the layoffs have impacted numerous personnel across the studio.
Gameplay programmer Katrin Mair, who moved to the U.K. for the role, reflected on her four years at the company, expressing sadness that the team will not be able to complete their ongoing project. Other senior team members affected include technical director Loong-Wei Ding, who encouraged other studios to hire his former colleagues, and expert technical sound designer Alessio Mellina, who spent 12 years developing the studio's dynamic audio systems.
Performance capture expert Xoe Suvari, who worked on numerous shoot days and helped build a top-tier performance capture stage, has also been let go. The studio closures and staff cuts follow Microsoft's recent restructuring moves, which Xbox Chief Content Officer Matt Booty indicated are three quarters complete, pointing to potential further job losses in the coming months.
