Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2
News, coverage and analysis tracking Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 across the outlets.
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NVIDIA lanserar DLSS 5. Jag är kluven och imponerad på samma gång.
NVIDIA has announced the launch of DLSS 5, a new tool for developers aimed at enhancing photorealism in games. While the technology promises impressive visual upgrades, the author expresses mixed feelings about its potential impact on creative vision and the distinction between developer-applied features and player-accessible mods. The article highlights that DLSS 5 is intended for developers to use selectively, not as a universal player mod.
Double Fine Productions suffers layoffs weeks after going independent
Double Fine Productions has laid off 23 employees, nearly 25% of its workforce, just weeks after becoming an independent studio following its separation from Xbox. The studio stated the layoffs were necessary for its survival and to adjust to its new size as an independent entity. This follows Xbox's broader restructuring efforts which have also impacted other studios.
The Gaming Industry Is Eating Itself Alive
Xbox is undergoing a massive restructuring, including 3,200 layoffs, impacting numerous studios and divisions like Activision, Bethesda, and Blizzard. While some studios regain independence and first-party projects remain safe for now, the article criticizes Xbox's overall strategy, citing Game Pass's performance and declining hardware revenue. The piece also touches on PlayStation's similar issues with digital ownership and preservation, painting a bleak picture for the future of gaming costs and ownership.
Xbox cutting 3,200 jobs and parting ways with Double Fine, Compulsion, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs
Microsoft has initiated a significant restructure of its Xbox division, eliminating 3,200 jobs and parting ways with four studios: Double Fine, Compulsion Games, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs. New Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated the cuts are necessary due to underperforming bets on Xbox Game Pass and multiplatform releases, as well as a severe hardware crisis impacting component prices. The company aims to streamline operations, reduce management layers, and foster a more efficient development environment.
IO Interactive Layoffs: Xbox Pulls Project Fantasy Funding — Too Much Gaming | Video Games Reviews, News, & Guides
IO Interactive is continuing work on Project Fantasy despite Xbox pulling its funding, and will now seek alternative funding or self-publish. This is part of a larger "reset" at Xbox under new CEO Asha Sharma, with reports indicating several studios like Ninja Theory, Compulsion Games, Undead Labs, Arkane, and Double Fine are in talks to avoid closure. Xbox is reassessing its investment priorities to better fund its existing franchises and ensure a reliable pipeline of exclusive content.
Xbox cuts rumoured to be the ‘largest single layoff event’ in gaming history
Reports suggest that Xbox is planning a significant round of layoffs, potentially the largest in gaming history, impacting multiple studios including Undead Labs, Ninja Theory, Compulsion Games, and Double Fine. Game designer George Broussard claims to have inside information indicating widespread studio closures and job cuts across the Xbox division following the end of its fiscal year.
It just keeps getting worse—Microsoft reportedly already had Ninja Theory in its crosshairs while pushing the…
Microsoft is reportedly planning to close or divest Ninja Theory, despite recently revealing a new game from the studio. An anonymous source suggests this decision was made before the game's announcement, with the reveal intended to attract potential buyers. This move adds to concerns about Microsoft's commitment to its studios and its overall strategy in the gaming industry.
Former PlayStation boss says Xbox shows a "basic misunderstanding" of the games industry amid leadership changes, mixed messaging, and reports of studio closures
Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden believes Xbox's recent inconsistent actions, including shifts in publishing strategy and reports of studio closures like Ninja Theory, indicate a fundamental misunderstanding of the games industry. Despite denials from figures like Matthew Ball, these moves have fueled an identity crisis for Xbox, leading to confusion among players and raising concerns about the company's health.
Amid reports of closures to Ninja Theory and Compulsion Games, Xbox Game Studios CEO Craig Duncan is stepping down from…
Xbox Game Studios CEO Craig Duncan and chief of staff Louise O'Connor are stepping down amid reports of significant layoffs and the closure of studios like Ninja Theory, Compulsion Games, and Double Fine. Duncan, who previously led Rare for 14 years, had been CEO for less than two years. These changes follow a strategic "Xbox reset" outlined by CEO Asha Sharma.
Another Xbocalypse begins: Microsoft are reportedly closing or spinning off Double Fine, Ninja Theory and Compulsion
Microsoft's Xbox division is reportedly considering closing or spinning off studios Double Fine, Ninja Theory, and Compulsion Games as part of a broader business restructuring. This follows recent layoffs, game cancellations, and studio closures across Xbox. The affected studios are known for critically acclaimed but not commercially massive titles like Psychonauts, Senua's Saga: Hellblade II, and South of Midnight.
Report – Xbox is shutting down Ninja Theory, days after announcing their next game
Reports indicate that Microsoft is planning to shut down Ninja Theory, the studio behind the Hellblade series, just days after announcing their new game, Senua. Staff were reportedly informed of the potential closure, with efforts underway to find a buyer. This news follows reports of other Xbox studios facing potential shutdowns and a broader business reset for the Xbox brand.
Several studios at risk of closure amid Xbox restructuring
Several internal Xbox studios, including Double Fine, Compulsion Games, and Ninja Theory, are reportedly at risk of closure or being shut down as part of a global restructuring. These studios are in discussions with Xbox to potentially go independent or secure their future. This move follows previous closures of Tango Gameworks and Arkane Austin and comes as Xbox shifts focus to major IPs like The Elder Scrolls and Fallout, amidst broader industry challenges including layoffs at Ubisoft.
With so much uncertainty swelling around Xbox, Senua is the action-adventure shot in the arm that the Hellblade series deserves
Ninja Theory's upcoming action-adventure game, Senua, set for a 2027 release on Xbox Series X, PC, and PlayStation 5, aims to deepen player engagement with more combat, traversal, and puzzle-solving. Studio head Dom Matthews stated that feedback on Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 indicated a desire for more gameplay, leading the team to focus entirely on this new title to enhance combat fluidity and enemy variety. The game is described as a more balanced action-adventure experience, drawing parallels to Enslaved: Odyssey to the West, and will feature a structured narrative within a larger, interconnected world, avoiding an open-world approach.
Even with PS5 Ports, Many of Xbox's Games Have Been Underperfoming
An internal memo from Xbox CEO Asha Sharma revealed that the division is operating at a 3% accountability margin, leading to layoffs. Many of Xbox's first-party games, even those with PlayStation 5 ports, have underperformed in sales and Xbox Game Pass engagement, failing to meet expectations.
Ninja Theory cancels Project Mara
Ninja Theory has cancelled its experimental horror title Project Mara to focus all studio resources on the third Hellblade game, Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2. Studio head Dom Matthews stated the decision was made to consolidate the expertise of their 85 creatives onto the Hellblade franchise. Project Mara was intended to be a realistic portrayal of mental terror, while Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice and its sequel are recognized for their depiction of mental health experiences.
Xbox explains new exclusives policy: players "can expect a reliable pipeline" of exclusive titles in service of "turning around the business"
Xbox Chief Strategy Officer Matthew Ball detailed the company's new exclusive titles policy, emphasizing a commitment to a reliable pipeline of games for the Xbox platform. This strategy aims to validate player investments and drive business growth, with exceptions made for certain live service titles like Call of Duty and previously announced commitments, such as Senua's Saga: Hellblade II on PlayStation 5.
Ninja Theory Horror Game Project Mara Canceled
Ninja Theory has canceled its experimental horror game, Project Mara. Studio Head Dom Matthews stated the decision was made to consolidate the studio's talent onto the new Senua game, which follows Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2. Project Mara was first announced in January 2020 and described as a "mental terror" game.
Ninja Theory Confirms Development Has Stopped On Project Mara
Ninja Theory has officially cancelled its horror game Project Mara, with studio head Dom Matthews confirming the entire 85-person team is now focused on Senua. Project Mara, announced in 2020, aimed to realistically portray mental health issues. The studio previously worked on smaller teams for the Hellblade games, but the decision was made to consolidate talent for Senua.
Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 Is Now Hellblade 2: Senua's Saga
Ninja Theory has officially renamed its upcoming title from Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 to Hellblade 2: Senua's Saga. This change is intended to distinguish the sequel as a more self-contained experience that welcomes new players. The developer aims to create a story that appeals to both existing fans and newcomers.
Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution "are not timed exclusives," Xbox says, but everything "already announced for multiplatform releases will stick to that plan"
Xbox has announced that Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution will be true Xbox console exclusives, marking a shift in strategy under new CEO Asha Sharma. While previously announced multiplatform titles like Halo: Campaign Evolved will still release on PlayStation 5 and PC, future first-party games are intended to bolster the Xbox ecosystem.
