Microsoft Abandons Arkane Studios, Looming Closure of Arkane Lyon

Microsoft Must Find Buyer for Arkane Lyon by Nov 13

Microsoft must find a buyer for Arkane Lyon by November 13 or the studio will shut down. On July 16 the company told Arkane's management it intended to close the Lyon studio. French labor laws require a three-month search for a buyer. Negotiations have stalled, and unions are fighting to extend the deadline and protect jobs. They say the redundancy plan is "badly" proceeding. They are exploring options to re-employ staff at other Xbox studios or even take Microsoft to court. Arkane Lyon is still polishing Marvel's Blade. The game has been delayed until early 2027 and may never launch if the studio closes. The 27-year-old studio, famed for Dishonored and Deathloop, could be its last project before the closure.