Arkane Lyon, the studio behind Dishonored and Deathloop, faces an uncertain future as Microsoft searches for a buyer or partner. According to reporting from Le Monde, approximately 217 jobs are at risk, with employees informed of the proposed closure in July. Marvel’s Blade remains in development.
In brief:
- November 13 marks the end of consultations over Arkane Lyon’s proposed closure.
- Microsoft is seeking a partner to help continue development and release Marvel’s Blade.
- A union representative says the game is nearing the end of production.
- Multiple options to save the studio are reportedly being explored.
Arkane Lyon’s November 13 Deadline
November 13 is the deadline for consultations with the studio’s Social and Economic Committee. It should be understood as a milestone in the proposed closure process, rather than a confirmed date when the studio shuts its doors.
Several takeover arrangements are reportedly under consideration. Microsoft told Le Monde it is actively looking for a partner to support further development and bring Marvel’s Blade to market.
Unions are pushing for more time to complete those discussions and protect jobs. Le Monde reports that employees were told about the closure proposal on July 16, following Xbox’s restructuring announcement earlier that month.
Marvel’s Blade Is Reportedly Nearing Completion
A union representative described Blade as approaching the end of production and said leaving it unreleased would be a “monumental waste.” That assessment comes from the union, rather than an official launch update from Bethesda.
Announced in December 2023, Marvel’s Blade is a single-player, third-person game set in a quarantined section of Paris. Its original story follows the vampire hunter through a supernatural emergency, with residents forced indoors after dark. Arkane’s pitch combines Blade’s distinctive style with the studio’s approach to world-building and game design.
A Deal Could Still Save Arkane Lyon
Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier offered a more hopeful update, saying multiple paths to save Arkane Lyon are being explored. He would be surprised if it closed, while acknowledging negotiations could change.
