Last week, Microsoft trademarked the Senua IP again, despite today’s news that Ninja Theory is set to close its doors because it couldn’t find an agreement with another publisher.
The news is interesting because it suggests Microsoft wants to retain rights to the Senua IP, even though Ninja Theory will no longer be part of its portfolio.
For those unaware, Ninja Theory was part of a major restructuring earlier this year, in which studios including Double Fine and Compulsion Games also parted ways with Xbox. However, those studios maintained the rights to their IPs.
It all but seems that Ninja Theory will now close its doors, and Microsoft is protecting itself from IP infringement by trademarking the term “Senua”, instead of the other trademarks that it owns, including “Senua’s Saga” and “Senua’s Sacrifice”.
The filing could also suggest that Microsoft has future plans for the franchise, this time without Ninja Theory, but this is mere speculation.
You can view the trademark filing here; it was filed on September 15, 2026.
Today’s Xbox announcement saw 268 employees at Xbox lose their jobs across Halo Studios, other first-party studios, and the XGS management and central functions layer.
In addition, major restructuring changes were also announced, including Halo now operating under Activision’s remit going forward, with a small Halo Studios contingent staying to support the Halo community. Bethesda will assume control of Obsidian, King will take over Microsoft Casual Games, and finally, Playground and Turn 10 will unite as one studio to work together on Forza and Fable.
What do you think of Xbox’s latest restructuring plan? Share your thoughts in the official Insider Gaming Discord Server.
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Tom Henderson is Insider Gaming's Co-Founder and Editor-In-Chief. When he's not running one of the industry's leading independent video game websites, he's probably playing an FPS like Call of Duty,…
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