Marvel’s New ‘Blade’ Reboot Is Officially in Trouble
Arkane Lyon could face closure by 13 November unless a buyer or partner is found, putting its unreleased Marvel’s Blade game and hundreds of jobs at risk. The reported deadline has raised concern that the project could be cancelled late in development, although several options to save the studio are being explored.
Microsoft says it is seeking a partner to help take the game into its next development and commercial phase. French law requires a company of at least 1,000 employees to spend at least three months looking for a buyer before closing a studio; 217 Arkane jobs could be affected. A union representative said redundancy negotiations were going badly, while Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier said he would be surprised if the studio shut down.
In short
- Arkane Lyon faces a reported 13 November closure deadline.
- The studio’s 217 jobs could be at risk.
- Microsoft is seeking a partner to continue Marvel’s Blade.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Closing Arkane Lyon could be justified if no viable buyer or partner emerges and the studio cannot be sustained commercially. A responsible decision would weigh the costs of keeping it open against the risk of continuing to invest in a project whose future and market prospects are uncertain, while meeting legal obligations and treating affected staff fairly.
The case against
Keeping Arkane Lyon open, or finding a partner to carry the game forward, could preserve 217 jobs, the studio’s expertise and the value of work already invested in Blade. Given the reported options and the uncertainty about whether closure will happen, advocates could argue that seeking a sustainable arrangement is preferable to ending development and imposing redundancies before those possibilities are exhausted.