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“Arkane is profitable,” say Marvel’s Blade developers in fiery new statement, “just not profitable enough for Microsoft”
Unionised workers at Arkane Lyon say the studio is profitable and that Microsoft’s hiring freeze and lack of resources helped create the delays and costs now cited as grounds for its potential closure. They accuse Microsoft of undermining development of Marvel’s Blade and are seeking a more generous redundancy package as negotiations continue over the studio’s future.
The workers say Microsoft froze hiring for 19 months and argue closing the studio could cost more than completing the game, though they provide no financial breakdown. Their proposed package includes €200,000 in redundancy pay, two years of redeployment support, training and studio-creation resources, and compensation for freelancers whose contracts are ended. The parties have until 13 December to reach an agreement; Ubisoft is reportedly among potential buyers.
In short
- Arkane Lyon workers say the studio is profitable.
- They blame Microsoft’s hiring freeze for added delays and costs.
- The union is seeking a substantial redundancy and support package.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Workers argue that Arkane Lyon remains profitable and that Microsoft’s hiring freeze and lack of resources contributed to delays and higher costs, so closure would unfairly make staff bear the consequences of decisions outside their control. They say completing Blade could cost less than closing the studio, and that substantial redundancy, retraining and redeployment support would recognise workers’ contributions and help them move on.
The case against
Microsoft could argue that a studio’s past profitability does not establish that keeping it open or completing Blade is financially sound, particularly when the workers have offered no figures to support their cost comparison. If the game’s delays and projected costs make continued investment hard to justify, restructuring may be necessary, while the workers’ proposed package could add significant costs during an already difficult transition.
Explained simply
Arkane Lyon is a French video game studio known for making games such as Dishonored and Deathloop. It is developing Marvel’s Blade, a game based on the comic-book character, and is owned by Microsoft through its Xbox gaming business.
The studio’s union represents workers in talks about Arkane Lyon’s future, including possible closure and redundancy terms. The dispute centres on the studio’s resources and the costs of continuing development or closing it; Microsoft has until 13 December to reach an agreement with the union.
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