Arkane Lyon has until 13 November to find a buyer, report claims

Arkane Lyon, the studio making Marvel’s Blade, reportedly has until 13 November to find a buyer or face closure. According to French outlet Le Monde, as relayed by VGC and Vice, that is when the formal consultation over Microsoft’s proposed closure ends. Vice reports that 217 jobs are at risk.

The date marks the end of a legal process, not a confirmed shutdown. Vice reports that Arkane Lyon staff were told on 16 July that Microsoft planned to close the studio, and that French law requires the company to look for a buyer before it can proceed. That search reportedly began in mid-summer alongside talks over support for affected employees. Vice adds that documents cited by Le Monde put the start of the closure at the end of 2026, running into early 2027.

Unions are using the gap to push for more time. Vice reports they’ve asked for an extension to find a buyer and negotiate support for staff. A union representative identified only as Simon told Le Monde that several takeover options are being considered, though he also said negotiations over the redundancy plan are going badly. VGC reports the studio is looking at “multiple forms of takeover” and that its fate remains unclear.

What happens to Marvel’s Blade

The game’s progress is the most striking claim in the report. According to VGC, members of the Printemps Ecologique union, which represents Arkane workers, say Marvel’s Blade is virtually finished. Vice quotes Simon as calling the prospect of it never releasing a “monumental waste” in artistic, human and commercial terms. That assessment comes from the union, not from Microsoft or Arkane.

Microsoft’s own statement to Le Monde focuses on a partner rather than cancellation. The company said it is “actively seeking a partner to support the next phase of development and enable the commercialization of the (Blade) project.” Vice reports that Microsoft is also continuing to explore options for the studio. No platforms or release date have been confirmed for the game, which VGC notes was announced at The Game Awards in 2023.

A studio with a strong back catalogue

VGC says Arkane was one of several studios affected by Microsoft’s wide-reaching layoffs this year. Its last release was the critically acclaimed 2021 shooter Deathloop, and before that it developed Dishonored 2 and Dishonored: Death of the Outsider. VGC adds that the studio also helped MachineGames on the Wolfenstein series.

For players, the fate of Marvel’s Blade rides on that search for a buyer or partner. We’d expect the outcome to become clearer after 13 November, when Microsoft has to decide how to proceed. If a buyer emerges, the studio and its Marvel project could continue under new ownership. If not, the closure process would begin by the end of the year.