Why Ninja Theory has joined Microsoft Studios

Huge News! Ninja Theory has joined Microsoft Studios!

[majiebeast]

This studio is dead when the next game inevitably bombs.

[BiggerBoss]

Nahhhh, Microsoft has a good history with studios, just look at Rare!

[Babadook7]

Lol

[Skull521]

Microsoft has the best hardware, best network, and most resources, why wouldn’t you join if offered?

[Godmars290]

" why wouldn’t you join if offered?"

Kinect says hi - (Like the uncle your family warns you about...)

[Silly gameAr]

Well, let's not jump the gun yet NT is a good studio. Let's see what they have planned for the future.

[michellelynn0976]

Jumping the gun? Or sour grapes?

[Manic2014]

He's been on every article, I'm guessing sour grapes.

[Prubar]

The upvotes shows how pathetic these fanboys are for a comment so negative. You guys sure make this site a fun place to visit.

[zerocarnage]

grow some brains or testys if you can and be real..

[gangsta_red]

There it is! here we go with the RIP comments.

[joab777]

So disappointed because they talked so much about owning their IPs and doing it a new way. Hell Blade must have been too hard to make.

[showtimefolks]

i am glad for them because they went though a lot to make their last game. please watch some of the making of their last game. They were struggling for equipment/money so hopefully ms will provide both and creative freedom

[rainslacker]

Yeah. I can see why they'd want to partner, or in this case be brought out by a major publisher, because they couldn't get funding to make a big game like they wanted. They did great with what they had though, and it's quite impressive what they did with what they had. I wish them the best of luck in the future, but since I can't see them releasing another game this gen, I'll likely not play their next game because I have no interest in buying another Xbox unless MS turns things around big time. PC will likely be an option though, and I can live with that.

[jukins]

Well based on their past they really never delivered a real hit. Everything they release is like 50/50 love or hate it. The exception seems to be their latest which is mostly critically acclaimed but has a niche audience.

Hopefully Microsoft let's them have creative freedom and doesn't just stick with an old ip

[showtimefolks]

jukins

that's true sony did have them do a new IP in heavenly sword and they couldn't deliver but their story telling is good

[xer0]

Wow. The only winner is the CEO of Ninja Theory.
I'm sure he knows this deal can seriously backfire and shutdown his company.

Heavenly Sword was the only game i bought from Ninja Theory... and it was only half decent.

Does anyone remember what happened to Crytek?
Although they are still independent... they aren't doing as well as they hoped when they inked a deal with MS.

[OffRoadKing]

I'm worried for them.

[OffRoadKing]

@ Reaprr

Tell that to Lionhead Studios and Ensemble Studios. Someones clearly fooling them self but its not me

[SuperSonic91]

NT had a very bad cocky reputation among the development community. They talked shit with PS3 gamers for getting compared to Naughty Dog and they suffered for that.

[Kribwalker]

they stated in the video they have full control of everything

[OffRoadKing]

lol, we'll see about that. "Full control" as long as they follow the MP/GaaS model Microsoft is pushing, which isn't what Ninja does.

[skydragoonityx]

Wrong move

[I_am_Batman]

Agreed. Even in this video they are emphasising how important creative freedom and risktaking is to them. They were in a position where they achieved that freedom and now they are going back to a major publisher. Hopefully everything pans out for them and Microsoft really gives them the creative freedom they got promised. I'm sceptical though.

[SpringHeeledJack]

Correct, the UK company was just bragging a few months ago how they are independent and don't need anyone big publishers. have these companies not learned from Rare and others? This company will go down hill like the rest, the talent will leave.

[Manic2014]

I'm sure they know better than you.

[mkis007]

Well as long as they get that creative freedom this could allow them to 100% focus on making the title they want at high quality.

[luckytrouble]

Too bad creative freedom is what comes with a Sony partnership, not Microsoft. Microsoft’s history of killing acquired studios after forcing the studio a specific direction does not bode well for Ninja Theory.

[mkis007]

Well I assume it's in the contract based on this video.

[OffRoadKing]

Cause money.

[gangsta_red]

Is that how it works?

[Kribwalker]

same reason heavenly sword was exclusive right? because they got paid money?

[showtimefolks]

Correct and they made a good game than talk crap about the community but yes every developer gets paid for making a game

[OffRoadKing]

No wrong, they chose to develop for Sony's platform Sony didn't own them like Microsoft does now. You seem to be confused by what an acquisition is. At least you tried.

[Kribwalker]

@offroadking

they were hired with money to make heavenly sword 🤣🤣🤣

[OffRoadKing]

Look I get that you have to try but the title of the article stated "Why Ninja Theory has joined Microsoft Studios" the answer is as I stated, money. i.e. Microsoft opened up that briefcase and showed them stacks and all that "we want to be independent and do what we want" talk went right out the window. If you think theres another reason I'm happy to hear it otherwise go bother someone else, although I'm sure you already are.

[Gazondaily]

"Microsoft opened up that briefcase and showed them stacks and all that "we want to be independent and do what we want" talk went right out the window. If you think theres another reason I'm happy to hear it otherwise go bother someone else, although I'm sure you already are."

Lol wtf is this post? 😂

[ApocalypseShadow]

I'm not mad at them.

But there was definitely a huge check involved. And I can see them wanting to make bigger games.

Getting playground was a good acquisition as well. Horizon looked cool. I liked that season change feature.

[michellelynn0976]

I will wish them the best. Microsoft don't have the best track record with second party studios (hi Silicon Knights and Lionhead). But, if Microsoft lets them develop and have creative freedom. NT could be their Retro or Naughty Dog.

[slate91]

Such a good pick up man

[masterfox]

The freedom they got when they created Hellblade is literally now vanished instantly the moment they signed with MS, still I'm pretty sure Ninja Theory got lots of money by doing this sacrifice. :D

[Kribwalker]

except they were given creative freedom

[Lexreborn2]

I’m at a mix with Ninja Theory, I loved Heavenly sword, completely enjoyed DmC and thought Hellblade was a very solid experience. I want to see them succeed in the gaming space, but not sure if it will be a new game from them for another 3-5 years. It’s an odd time now

[Sciurus_vulgaris]

Lots of cash lol..... Please let the studio stick to games that they are good at (action adventure games) and don't force them into any.

[Sevir]

I'm not gonna lie... I'm salty af!!! I don't want an Xbox just for NT games... And yet that's what's gonna be. I've bought all of their major games on Sony Platforms... I became a fan because of Heavenly Sword and I've been with them since then.

I'm gonna be with them going forward, but THIS really should have been a Sony acquisition... These Devs have proven themselves over and over that they are risky, bold creative and tells great single player experiences in AAA market... MS just seems like the wrong fit. But I'm here for their games, even if it means buying an Xbox 😭

[FunAndGun]

The thing that sucks is they are a good studio. Their next game could potentially be amazing. I only game on Playstation. Might be some tough decisions in a couple years...

[Chaosdreams]

While this is huge news for Xbox gamers, it comes as a bit of a bad taste for those who enjoyed Ninja Theory games on Sony platforms (Unless I'm missing something, but owning a studio removes said games from being on other platforms). I'm mostly confused on Ninja Theory's decision, as they really harped about independent freedom and how they strived to create games on a smaller budget.

[Jayszen]

It is a pity that they could not stay independent as it appears that they were doing exactly what they wanted after the success of Hellblade. I guess the theory is easier than the practice and they realized that they would rather lose the independence and have the resources and security instead to work on bigger, AAA games and giving up the ability to have their games on any platform was a small price to pay. It may work as long as Microsoft keeps it promise of creative freedom.

Good luck to them.

[TheOttomatic91]

Money

[shinoff2183]

Money