While they’re busy working on the sequel to Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, Ninja Theory have announced a new project that aims to “recreate the horrors of the mind”. Project: Mara, as it’s currently being called, “will be a real-world and grounded representation of mental terror.”
Speaking with xbox.com, Ninja Theory commercial director Dom Matthews states that the game will be based on “lived experience accounts and in-depth research”, and that the game will “be an experimental title and a showcase of what could become a new storytelling medium.” Ninja Theory co-founder Tameem Antoniades also chimed in, saying that Project: Mara is being “heavily based on research, interviews, and first-hand accounts to recreate the horrors of the mind as accurately and believably as possible.” On top of that, Antoniades explains that “it is the character that drives it,” and that the game itself will feature one character and one location.
Ninja Theory aren’t entirely strangers to touching on psychological topics, as the team explored the idea of psychosis and the horrors it entails in Hellblade. Speaking of which, the game’s sequel, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2, will continue that theme, and according to Antoniades, Senua’s Saga “builds on that to show how madness and suffering shapes myths, gods, and religion. Our goal is to make an experience comparable to the epic myths and sagas of old.”
No platforms have been announced as of yet for Project: Mara, although given that Hellblade 2 will be showing up on the upcoming Xbox Series X and PC, it’s not too far a of a stretch to say that Project: Mara will also share those platforms.