Ninja Theory Cancels Ambitious Horror Title Focus To On Senua

Ninja Theory has cancelled Project Mara, its experimental horror game that was first announced in 2020. The decision was confirmed by studio head Dom Matthews in an interview on Xbox Wire discussing the studio’s new project, Senua.

Project Mara was conceived as “a real-world and grounded representation of mental terror,” featuring photorealistic graphics set entirely within an apartment. The project was based on research and real-world accounts of psychological horror, positioning it as an experimental new storytelling medium. After a developer diary was shared in 2021 showcasing the game’s ambitious visuals, the project largely disappeared from public view.

The cancellation allows Ninja Theory’s entire roster of 85 developers to focus exclusively on Senua, the studio’s third major title in the Hellblade franchise, which was announced during Summer Game Fest and Xbox Games Showcase 2026. Senua is being positioned as an action-adventure game with expanded scope and ambition compared to previous titles.

Studio head Matthews acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, stating that reallocating all available talent and expertise to Senua was necessary to deliver the desired quality and vision for the new project. The move reflects Microsoft’s strategic prioritization of the Hellblade franchise over experimental horror ventures.

Ninja Theory Cancels Ambitious Horror Title Focus To On Senua

Sources