Ninja Theory Prioritizes Hellblade 3 Over Project Mara

Ninja Theory, the UK-based developer behind the acclaimed Hellblade series, is reportedly shifting its focus to a new entry in the franchise that aims to deliver more interactive gameplay, according to industry reports. The project, which may or may not carry the Hellblade 3 title, builds on the narrative-driven adventures of protagonist Senua while expanding beyond the cinematic style of its predecessors. This development comes as the studio pauses work on its experimental horror title, Project Mara, first teased in 2020.

The information emerged from journalist Jez Corden during a recent episode of the Xbox Two podcast. Corden, who covers Xbox developments for Windows Central, stated that Ninja Theory has redirected resources to prioritize the Hellblade universe. "From what I understand, the next game from Ninja Theory is Hellblade 3, and it's going to be a bit more interactive than Hellblade 1 and 2," Corden said. He added that the team seeks to "make it more of a game and broaden its appeal to some degree," though details on the exact format remain unclear. It could involve returning to Senua or exploring new stories within the established world.