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Arkane Lyon’s union says Microsoft risks studio and Blade’s future
Developing story first seen 3 hours ago
New reporting says Ubisoft and two other companies are bidding to buy Arkane Lyon, which faces possible closure if Microsoft cannot find a buyer. The studio’s workers’ union says development on Marvel’s Blade is going well, but warns that Microsoft’s decision could put both the studio and the game at risk.
The union alleges that a 19-month hiring freeze caused delays and extra costs that Microsoft is now using to justify selling or closing Arkane. It says the studio is profitable, but not profitable enough for Microsoft, and argues that closure could cost more than finishing Blade. The game was announced nearly three years ago, with little public news since.
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In short
- Ubisoft and two other companies are reportedly bidding for Arkane Lyon.
- The studio’s union says Blade development is going well.
- Arkane could close if Microsoft cannot find a buyer.
How this story developed
- 10 minutes ago Bloomberg reported that Arkane could close and Blade be cancelled if Microsoft found no suitable buyer, while the union reiterated that the studio was profitable and argued closure could cost more than completing the game.
- 21 minutes ago Reports said Ubisoft and two other companies were bidding to buy Arkane Lyon, which could close if Microsoft found no buyer, while the workers’ union said Blade was progressing well but blamed a 19-month hiring freeze for delays and extra costs that Microsoft was citing as grounds to sell or shut the studio.
- Eurogamer Arkane union says closing the studio "would probably be more expensive" for Xbox than simply finishing Marvel's Blade
- Destructoid Arkane Lyon’s union says Microsoft risks studio and Blade’s future
- PC Gamer French game union accuses Microsoft of 'sabotaging' Blade and then using the fallout to justify closing Arkane
Coverage · 3 sources
- DestructoidArkane Lyon’s union says Microsoft risks studio and Blade’s future
- EurogamerArkane union says closing the studio "would probably be more expensive" for Xbox than simply finishing Marvel's Blade
- PC GamerFrench game union accuses Microsoft of 'sabotaging' Blade and then using the fallout to justify closing Arkane
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by Destructoid as “Arkane devs say Microsoft is ‘sabotaging’ Marvel’s Blade as the studio is ‘profitable, just not profitable enough’”.