Microsoft allegedly paid $117 million for Ninja Theory

Microsoft allegedly paid $117 million for Ninja Theory, back in 2018, when the purchase was done, according to an internal email from the Redmond-based tech giant.

For those of you who don’t know, Ninja Theory has developed and released the beloved Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, a Dark Souls-inspired action-adventure game set in a dark fantasy world. It went on to sell over 1 million copies in less than a year after its release.

And it was also a critical success, far beyond the scope of an independent game studio, which Ninja Theory was at the time.

However, in 2018 Microsoft approached Ninja Theory with an offer, and the purchase was made then. It is revealed now that Microsoft actually paid $117 million for the studio. Which now is a good deal, because the studio is preparing to release Hellblade 2 in 2024. And it will surely be a win for Microsoft.

Is $117 million enough for Ninja Theory?

Of course, there is also the question of whether $117 million is enough for a game studio such as Ninja Theory. Considering Microsoft plans to pay $68.7 billion for Blizzard, $117 million for Ninja Theory seems very little compared to what the studio offers.

Yes, we can’t really compare the two game studios. Blizzard has some big titles in its repertoire, with names such as Diablo, World of Warcraft, and many more earning a lot of money monthly. But not all agree on the sum received by Ninja Theory.

Seems pretty cheap for such a talented studio.

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Let’s not forget that Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice sold 1 million copies in less than a year after its release. And the game also established itself as an important point in the gaming industry. It was widely acclaimed by critics, who are seeing it as a fine example of video games as art.

And it also helped revolutionize the genre. It brought a complex story, and its depiction of psychosis in video games made it a cult classic.

Even now, Hellblade 2 is widely anticipated, and it was one of the central points at the Xbox Games Showcase 2023 and Starfield Direct event.

So there is no doubt Microsoft will greatly benefit from this release. Ultimately, it’s good that Ninja Theory now has the means to build video games that come from a passionate team. Let’s just see how Microsoft will play into it in the long run.

What are your thoughts on this? Be sure to let us know in the comments section below.