Ninja Theory Cancels Experimental Horror Game Project Mara

Ninja Theory has officially cancelled Project Mara, its experimental horror game, as confirmed by studio head Dom Matthews. The decision comes alongside the surprise announcement of Senua, the third game in the Hellblade series, at the Xbox Games Showcase 2026. In a blog post discussing Senua, Matthews explained that the entire studio—all 85 creatives—is now focused on developing Senua, marking the first time since 2013's DmC: Devil May Cry that the full team has worked on a single project. This shift allows for a more expansive, gameplay-driven Hellblade experience but required sacrificing Project Mara.

Project Mara was first revealed in January 2020, during a period when Ninja Theory was also developing Hellblade 2 and the short-lived multiplayer brawler Bleeding Edge. It was described as a "real-world and grounded representation of mental terror," based on real accounts and research, aiming to recreate the horrors of the mind accurately. The game was set in a highly detailed, photo-realistic apartment. Despite the cancellation, Ninja Theory continues its exploration of mental health with Senua, which features the familiar whispering voices and themes of psychosis. The cancellation confirms previous rumors that a new Hellblade was in development, now proven true alongside all the announcements from the Xbox Showcase 2026.