Arkane survival negotiations reportedly seeing "several forms of takeover" considered ahead of November deadline, as Marvel's Blade production nears end

Negotiations over the future of Arkane Lyon, the developer behind Dishonored and Deathloop, are reportedly considering multiple takeover options as a November deadline approaches. This deadline stems from a July decision by Microsoft to initiate a studio closure process, complicated by French labor laws that require extended consultations before layoffs can proceed. The report, sourced from French publication Le Monde, highlights the legal hurdles Microsoft faces in France compared to other regions.

Under a 2014 French law, companies with over 1,000 employees must seek a buyer for at least three months before shutting down a studio. For Arkane Lyon, this process involves consultations with the studio’s Social and Economic Committee, with a deadline of November 13th. The report notes that 217 jobs are currently at risk as part of this process, leaving little time to secure a buyer or alternative arrangement.

Production work on Marvel’s Blade, a project Arkane Lyon is involved in, is nearing completion, according to the report. Unions, including the Printemps Écologique and Syndicat des Travailleureuses du Jeu Video (STJV), have criticized Microsoft’s handling of the situation. They emphasize their support for Arkane’s work and hope the game will be released despite the uncertainty surrounding the studio’s future.

Microsoft has stated it is actively seeking a partner to support the next phase of development for Marvel’s Blade and enable its commercialization. The company also indicated in a September announcement that consultations regarding Arkane’s future would continue through the end of the year. The ongoing uncertainty reflects broader challenges in Microsoft’s restructuring efforts, which have included multiple waves of layoffs.