Key information
Microsoft has granted Arkane Lyon a one-month extension to its consultation period regarding the studio's future. This decision follows an initial requirement for the company to spend three months seeking a new buyer for the developer under French law.
The publisher is currently exploring alternative options, including the possibility of finding a partner to support the development of Marvel's Blade. This project was first revealed by the studio at The Game Awards in December 2023.
Journalist Jason Schreier noted that a total closure of the studio would be financially costly for Microsoft, particularly due to French labor laws that mandate extended severance periods. Consequently, he expressed skepticism that the studio would ultimately be shuttered.
Should these negotiations fail, the studio's union is pressuring Microsoft to re-employ staff within Xbox Game Studios. The union representative emphasized that the current job market offers limited opportunities for displaced workers.
