Ninja Theory’s ambitious horror experiment has apparently met its end before it really began. Project Mara, the psychological horror title announced back in 2020, is no longer in active development according to Windows Central’s Jez Corden, a reliable Microsoft insider. Instead, the studio is putting its full weight behind Hellblade 3, which promises to be significantly different from the first two entries in the series.
Speaking on the Xbox Two podcast, Corden revealed that Project Mara was essentially just a concept that never evolved into full production. While Ninja Theory might revisit the idea eventually, the studio is currently directing all its energy toward Senua’s next adventure, which is already greenlit and in development.
What Was Project Mara Supposed to Be?
Project Mara was pitched as an experimental horror experience that would explore mental health and psychological terror in ways traditional horror games typically avoid. The entire game was designed to take place within a single apartment, recreated with photogrammetry and Lidar scanning technology to achieve photorealistic environments.
As part of Ninja Theory’s broader Insight Project research initiative, Project Mara would have drawn from real accounts of mental health struggles to create authentic psychological depth. The studio wanted to present a grounded representation of mental terror rather than relying on jump scares or supernatural elements. Melina Juergens, who plays Senua in the Hellblade series, was attached to the project.
The last substantial update about Project Mara came in January 2021, when a developer diary confirmed the single-apartment setting and outlined some technical approaches. After that, the project went completely silent. No gameplay footage, no release windows, not even vague development updates. That radio silence should have been a warning sign.
Why Project Mara Got Shelved
While Ninja Theory and Microsoft haven’t officially commented on Project Mara’s status, the writing was on the wall for a while. The studio has been under scrutiny since Microsoft’s controversial round of studio closures in 2024, which saw Tango Gameworks and Arkane Austin shut down despite critical successes like Hi-Fi Rush.
When Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 launched in May 2024, studio head Dom Matthews posted a heartfelt message thanking fans for their support. Many interpreted it as a potential goodbye, fearing Ninja Theory might be next on the chopping block. However, Windows Central reported at the time that Microsoft had no plans to close the studio and had actually greenlit their next project.
That next project, it turns out, is Hellblade 3 rather than the experimental horror game everyone assumed was coming. The decision makes business sense from Microsoft’s perspective. Hellblade 2, despite mixed reactions to its short runtime and limited interactivity, was praised for its stunning visuals and became one of the best-looking games of this console generation. The franchise has brand recognition that an experimental horror IP simply doesn’t.
What to Expect From Hellblade 3
According to Corden’s sources, Hellblade 3 will be considerably different from its predecessors. Ninja Theory is actively trying to address one of the biggest criticisms leveled at Hellblade 2, which was that it felt more like an interactive movie than a proper game.
The third entry will reportedly be more interactive and gameplay-focused, with expanded combat systems and mechanics that go beyond the narrative-driven approach of the first two games. Corden explained that the studio wants to make it more of a game and broaden its appeal to reach a wider audience.
This represents a significant shift for Ninja Theory, whose Hellblade games have been defined by their cinematic storytelling and focus on Senua’s mental health journey rather than traditional action gameplay. Whether longtime fans will appreciate this new direction remains to be seen, but it could help the series avoid the niche status that limited Hellblade 2’s commercial impact.
The Bigger Picture for Ninja Theory
The pivot from Project Mara to Hellblade 3 reflects the changing priorities within Microsoft’s Xbox Game Studios. Experimental projects are getting less room to breathe, while established franchises receive the green light even when they underperform commercially. Hellblade 2 wasn’t a massive seller, but it generated enough critical acclaim and visual buzz to justify a sequel.
Ninja Theory is a relatively small studio, which means Hellblade 3 will likely take several years to complete. Senua’s Saga only launched in May 2024, so fans shouldn’t expect the next entry until at least 2027 or 2028, especially if the studio is genuinely expanding the gameplay scope as rumored.
Some fans had hoped that Project Mara might be the mysterious fourth title rumored for the Xbox Developer Direct event on January 22, 2026. That event will showcase Fable, Forza Horizon 6, and Beast of Reincarnation, with speculation about a surprise announcement. However, with Project Mara confirmed as shelved, it clearly won’t be making an appearance.
FAQs
Is Project Mara officially canceled?
Ninja Theory and Microsoft have not made an official statement about Project Mara’s cancellation. However, Windows Central’s Jez Corden, a reliable Microsoft insider, confirmed on the Xbox Two podcast that the project is not currently in active development and was essentially just a concept.
When was Project Mara announced?
Project Mara was announced in 2020 as an experimental horror title that would explore psychological terror and mental health themes. The last major update about the project came in January 2021, after which the studio went silent about its development.
Is Hellblade 3 officially confirmed?
Hellblade 3 has not been officially announced by Ninja Theory or Microsoft. However, Jez Corden reported that the game is currently in development at the studio and was greenlit by Microsoft in May 2024 following the release of Hellblade 2.
How will Hellblade 3 be different from previous games?
According to insider reports, Hellblade 3 will be more interactive and gameplay-focused than the first two entries. Ninja Theory reportedly wants to expand the combat systems and mechanics to broaden the game’s appeal and address criticisms about limited interactivity in Hellblade 2.
When will Hellblade 3 be released?
No release date or window has been announced for Hellblade 3. Given that Hellblade 2 only launched in May 2024 and Ninja Theory is a small studio, fans likely won’t see the third game until at least 2027 or 2028.
What was Project Mara about?
Project Mara was designed as a psychological horror game that would take place entirely within a single apartment. It aimed to present a realistic depiction of mental health struggles using photogrammetry and Lidar scanning technology, featuring Melina Juergens from the Hellblade series.
Could Project Mara return in the future?
Jez Corden mentioned that Project Mara might be something Ninja Theory works on eventually, but it is not currently in development. The studio’s focus has shifted entirely to Hellblade 3 for the foreseeable future.
Conclusion
The quiet shelving of Project Mara marks the end of what could have been a fascinating experiment in horror game design. Ninja Theory’s approach to representing mental health authentically in the Hellblade series earned critical praise, and applying that research and sensitivity to a pure horror context had real potential. But in an industry increasingly risk-averse, especially within Microsoft’s gaming division, experimental projects often lose out to safer franchise bets. Hellblade 3 might disappoint fans hoping for something completely new from Ninja Theory, but if the studio can successfully evolve the series with more interactive gameplay while maintaining its narrative strength, it could become the breakout hit the franchise has always deserved. For now, Project Mara joins the growing list of ambitious game concepts that never made it past the pitch stage, another victim of shifting corporate priorities and the relentless demand for commercial viability.