XBOX to close down Ninja Theory and Double Fine in addition to Compulsion Games

Following a successful XBOX Games Showcase, Microsoft is preparing to close more of its XBOX studios. First it was reported that Compulsion Games and Arkane were on the list of closures.

Now, it has been reported by Bloomberg that Microsoft is closing Ninja Theory the developers behind the Hellblade series and Double Fine Productions, the developers behind the recently release Kiln and known for Psychonauts.

The report also mentions that the studios may have the opportunity to buy themselves back from XBOX and go independent. However, even if they are able to do that, employees will lose their jobs. These closures are part of a reorganization being planned by XBOX CEO, Asha Sharma. She put out a memo publicly and internally that the revenue and margins have plummeted in recent years and said “going forward, this cannot continue”.

Compulsion Games releases South of Midnight last year on XBOX and has arrived on Switch 2 and PlayStation 5. It’s an award-winning title nonetheless. They’ve also been the minds behind We Happy Few.

Ninja Theory just announced Senua, a brand-new game in the Hellblade series.

Double Fine Productions just released Kiln in April but it hasn’t performed well. However, the studio has created plenty of classics before.

Arkane came as part of the Bethesda acquisition and are the developers behind the Marvel’s Blade game that continues to be in development.

What do you think of the recent news surrounding XBOX?