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[E3-MS] Why Ninja Theory joined Xbox.

Gold_Loot

Member
They wanted more money and resources.

This is great news for Microsoft, Ninja Theory and gamers.
Is it though? You can purchase a company, but that doesn’t mean the talent will always remain. What happens to Ninja Theory if the next game they produce isn’t a hit? Will MS close them down like they have in the past? How has Rare been these days?

Only time will tell , but I’m more cautious than optimistic.
 

highrider

Banned
I’m a fan of Ninja Theory, I’ve seen them take a lot of shit over the years but even thier games that missed the mark oozed with creativity and were bold. Smart move by Microsoft.
 

DunDunDunpachi

Patient MembeR
I have a... theory...

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But in all seriousness, if they're happy with Microsoft, that's a good thing. Microsoft has been panned for the last 8 years for not really investing in studios or investing in the long-term health of the hobby. Their investment in studios is a good thing. Hopefully they produce some excellent titles over the next few years.
 

Gander

Banned
I don't think they are you some you think they are. Most of the their games are multiplats for other devs. They haven't really had a break out hit of their own.
 

Mahadev

Member
I hope it's an ironclad contract because Microsoft always micromanages their developers to death. Hopefully they will keep making great games but the cynical part in me gives them 5 years tops.
 

Gander

Banned
I think Microsoft is done with that. They wanted what everybody wanted which a way to make more consistent and continuous profit off games. Instead of forcing devs to build that in games they can just sell gamers on their game pass.
 

Blam

Member
I mean as far as I can tell. They are giving them free rain to do what they want with their support behind it sorta like Sony did with Kojima.
 

Mr Hyde

Member
I´ve enjoyed all of Ninja Theorys games, with my favourite among the bunch being Enslaved: Odyssey to the West. It will be sad to see them go fully exclusive but I wish them the best and hope for a prosperous future where they can retain their creative vision they´ve displayed over the years. I understand why one have to make such a decision to be absorbed by another company, and it must be a relief to know that you won´t risk closure if your game bombs. I hope Microsoft stands by its words and let Ninja Theory have free wings and do what they do best, without micromanagement and suits interfering with the creative process. And if MS shuts down the studio after just one flop they can go fuck themselves.
 
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Danjin44

The nicest person on this forum
I say why not. Hopefully they can create some great quality Single Player games for Xbox.
 
Ninja Theory are master storytellers. Microsoft desperately needed a dev like this in their first party stable. While I'm sad that I currently won't be able to play their next game, I may pick up a ms console next gen IF Microsoft can prove to me that their capable of innovating on the IP front (with some meatier tp or fp games). Ninja Theory in their stall will definitely help towards that goal, I'd say it was a good move on their part.
 

cdthree

Member
Wish NT well, but it's Microsoft so I'm not holding my breath. Sony and Nintendo have always been creative companies. Microsoft is a productivity company at it's core DNA. Please buy a large videogamer maker or publisher that has experience running multiple game studios over many years. Spin all your game studios under them as a subsidiary and leave them alone to produce content for Xbox. Cause I would like to spend money on your original games and have something to play for the next Xbox.
 

A.Romero

Member
I'm glad Microsoft is taking first party more seriously. They have a great platform that I'm sure can help devs like NT do great things.

Somehow I feel Spencer will make sure studios are treated well.
 
Why Ninja Theory made the same mistakes as many studio before: greed and lack of vision.

Either they're dead like Rare, or they remain independent enough like Insomniac, but since they've been full-on bought, that's pretty dead.

A shame really, but then Sony didn't buy them either even though they should have, so maybe it'll equate the odds.
 
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oldergamer

Member
So they have multiple projects started with small teams. I can't believe Hellblade was a 20 person team. Thats almost unheard of. In the video they showed some cancelled game that looked interesting. i wonder if they will finish that while at the same time ramp up multiple creative teams.
 

Hendrick's

If only my penis was as big as my GamerScore!
Wish NT well, but it's Microsoft so I'm not holding my breath. Sony and Nintendo have always been creative companies. Microsoft is a productivity company at it's core DNA. Please buy a large videogamer maker or publisher that has experience running multiple game studios over many years. Spin all your game studios under them as a subsidiary and leave them alone to produce content for Xbox. Cause I would like to spend money on your original games and have something to play for the next Xbox.
IDK, they let Rare make SoT so anything is possible.
 
Kinda hoping these acquisitions could lead to a resurgence of AA/middle-tier games. There is a middle ground between indie and blockbusters that needs to be filled.
I doubt it , at least in the case of ninja theory. This studio was bought to produce AAA cinematic games like sony’s. They are already experts in facial animation and whatever and with MS money they will make something that will “look” extremely nice. Now I doubt it will have good gameplay but then again I shudder when I think that games like uncharted 4 are considered “great” so what do I know ?
 

Zambayoshi

Member
I can see this ending very badly for Ninja Theory. Obviously MS bought the studio to make money. Ninja Theory isn't known for releasing smash hits. Its games generally have cult followings or have been collaborative efforts.
 

quest

Not Banned from OT
I can see this ending very badly for Ninja Theory. Obviously MS bought the studio to make money. Ninja Theory isn't known for releasing smash hits. Its games generally have cult followings or have been collaborative efforts.
I can see this being great for ninja theory also. I can see MS wanting lots of mid size games like hellblade to fill out game pass with content monthly. I think it is no coincidence MS bought smaller studios lot of good smaller games instead of a few big ones.
 

WaterAstro

Member
Why Ninja Theory made the same mistakes as many studio before: greed and lack of vision.

Either they're dead like Rare, or they remain independent enough like Insomniac, but since they've been full-on bought, that's pretty dead.

A shame really, but then Sony didn't buy them either even though they should have, so maybe it'll equate the odds.
Sony didn't buy them because they lost millions of dollars on Heavenly Sword.
 

MoogleMan

Member
I hope it's an ironclad contract because Microsoft always micromanages their developers to death. Hopefully they will keep making great games but the cynical part in me gives them 5 years tops.
I agree. I don't trust microsoft one bit. I've loved the ninja theory games I've played so far (heavenly sword, enslaved, hellblade). I hope microsoft doesn't push too much.
 
I can see this ending very badly for Ninja Theory. Obviously MS bought the studio to make money. Ninja Theory isn't known for releasing smash hits. Its games generally have cult followings or have been collaborative efforts.

And that’s exactly what MS needs more of to attract gamers - they already own the dudebro demographic, so they need some niche cult following games to attract people. The last thing they really had In that vein was Phantom Dust, and they managed to mismanage that to all hell. Hopefully they will let them be free to create whatever they want. We’ll see.
 
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tryDEATH

Member
So they have multiple projects started with small teams. I can't believe Hellblade was a 20 person team. Thats almost unheard of. In the video they showed some cancelled game that looked interesting. i wonder if they will finish that while at the same time ramp up multiple creative teams.

The canceled game is Razor and they dumped all the R&D of that project onto their website for free viewing. It is really interesting to see how much work goes into creating a new IP and how it evolves as you try to get publishing.
 

NewYork214

Member
It was smart of Microsoft. I always had love for them since heavenly sword. I have enjoyed all of their games so far.


I hope this means Sony might be more interested in letting someone else try making a new one though. One can wish
 
Answer: they needed money

Best of luck to them and Microsoft. I enjoy many aspects of Ninja Theory's games (particularly Enslaved's narrative, but I think that was more of Alex Garland's influence), but they've never quite delivered on the gameplay front. Even Hellblade had some glaring problems.
 
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hiphopcr

Member
Good, now Ninja Theory can be unleashed to create their magnum opus single player narrative driven game without the threat of financial viability looming over the project.
 
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