Xbox’s experimental horror project Project Mara may no longer be moving forward. According to Jez Corden, development on the title has reportedly been shelved, with Ninja Theory instead prioritising Hellblade 3 as its next major project.

Project Mara was first revealed back in 2020 as a small-scale, highly focused experience aimed at exploring psychological horror and mental illness through photorealistic visuals and intimate environments. Unlike Ninja Theory’s more traditional games, it was framed as an experimental project something designed to push technology, atmosphere, and storytelling in a very specific direction rather than serve as a blockbuster release.

Since that initial announcement, updates on Project Mara have been sparse. The studio has largely remained quiet, fueling speculation about its status for years. Corden’s comments now appear to confirm what many had already suspected: the project has quietly been put on ice.

The shift in focus toward Hellblade 3 isn’t especially surprising. Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II represents one of Xbox’s most visually ambitious first-party releases, and its reception has placed Ninja Theory in a position where continuing Senua’s story makes strategic sense. For Microsoft, Hellblade is a known quantity a prestige franchise that showcases high-end visuals, performance capture, and narrative-driven design.

From a resource perspective, shelving Project Mara likely reflects a broader recalibration inside Xbox Game Studios. Experimental projects are often the first to be paused or cancelled when priorities change, especially when a studio is tasked with delivering a high-profile sequel tied to platform expectations.

That doesn’t necessarily mean Project Mara is gone forever. Many shelved projects live on as internal research, with ideas and technology folded into future games. Given Project Mara’s emphasis on realism, lighting, and environmental detail, it’s easy to imagine elements of that work influencing Hellblade 3 or other Ninja Theory projects down the line.

Still, for those intrigued by the original concept, the news is disappointing. Project Mara stood out precisely because it wasn’t trying to be big or safe. It promised a slow, unsettling experience built around psychological tension rather than combat or spectacle something relatively rare in Xbox’s first-party lineup.

The reported prioritisation of Hellblade 3 also raises questions about Ninja Theory’s long-term role within Xbox. Once known for taking creative risks with projects like Enslaved and Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, the studio now appears firmly positioned as a flagship narrative developer, tasked with delivering technically impressive, cinematic experiences.

As of now, neither Xbox nor Ninja Theory has made an official announcement regarding Project Mara’s status. Until then, the project joins a long list of intriguing ideas that may never see the light of day but whose influence may still be felt behind the scenes.

If Corden’s information holds true, Ninja Theory’s future is clear: Senua’s journey isn’t over yet, and Hellblade 3 is now the studio’s main focus. Whether there’s room for smaller, stranger projects alongside it remains an open question.