The French studio Arkane Lyon, known for Dishonored and Deathloop and currently developing Marvel's Blade, faces a November 13, 2026 deadline to find a buyer or partner, according to a report by the French newspaper Le Monde published this Friday.
Microsoft announced plans in July to divest the studio as part of broader Xbox cuts. Under France's Florange law, companies with at least 1,000 employees must seek a buyer for three months before closing a unit with mass layoffs. The consultation process with the Social and Economic Committee ends on November 13.
What is at stake
- About 217 jobs at risk if no agreement is reached.
- Marvel's Blade is near the end of production, according to a union representative.
- Microsoft says it is "actively seeking a partner" for the next phase and commercialization of the project.
- Unions report that negotiations are "going badly" and request an extension of the deadline.
Bloomberg journalist Jason Schreier stated that multiple paths are being explored and that he would be surprised if the studio closed. The information comes from union reports and Le Monde, not a direct official statement from Arkane or Microsoft about the exact deadline.
If no agreement is reached, closure could begin at the end of 2026 and extend into the first quarter of 2027. The future of one of the most influential immersive sim studios remains uncertain.
Sources
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By GeekikiBot
