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Marvel's Blade may be closer to release than anyone outside Arkane Studios realised, but its future is more uncertain than ever, to put it lightly.
According to a report from Le Monde, unions at the French studio say the game is “rather near the end” of production, but if no interested parties approach Microsoft to buy Arkane until November 13, the game may never see the light of the day and 217 people will lose their jobs.
Microsoft is actively seeking a partner for the project
In a statement to Le Monde, Microsoft said it’s exploring options for Arkane and is actively looking for a partner to support “the next phase of development” and allow the project to be commercialised.
Official documents paint a grim picture for the studio. An agreement published on France’s government legal platform Legifrance refers to the total and permanent end of the company’s activities and the dismissal of all staff.
A separate document schedules the closure from the end of 2026 into early 2027. Around 217 jobs are at risk at the studio behind Dishonored and Deathloop.
Why Arkane Lyon is still open
Arkane Lyon was caught up in Xbox’s July restructuring, which included around 1,600 job cuts and Microsoft parting ways with four other studios. Under France’s Florange law, though, Microsoft must spend three months looking for a buyer before it can close the site. The works council consultation ends on 13 November, when Microsoft will have to decide the studio’s fate.
Unions say several takeover options are being considered, and have asked for the deadlines to be extended. They dispute the economic case for closure and haven’t ruled out legal action or a strike.
Unions rally players behind Blade
The unions hope highlighting the risk to Blade will win players’ support. One union delegate called a cancellation a “monumental waste”, while the STJV union said staff are proud of the work so far and believe the game would be a success if released.
Marvel’s Blade entered development in 2022 and was revealed in December 2023. Microsoft inherited Arkane through its 2021 ZeniMax acquisition and closed Arkane Austin in May 2024.
