Arkane Lyon's union says closing the studio would cost Xbox more than finishing Blade
Arkane Lyon's union says Marvel's Blade is going well and that shutting Arkane Lyon would cost Microsoft more than shipping it. It wants a say in any buyer.
The union representing staff at Arkane Lyon says shutting the studio would likely cost Microsoft more than finishing Marvel's Blade. The statement from the French video game workers' union was reported by Eurogamer on November 4, 2026, as the Dishonored and Prey developer searches for a buyer before a December deadline.
The union's argument
The union says work on Marvel's Blade is "going fine" and that the game is on track to match Arkane's best work. It blames Microsoft for much of the studio's trouble, pointing to a hiring freeze of more than a year that it says pushed up the budget and caused delays. Those same delays and costs are now being used as a reason to close the studio, the union argues, and it describes Arkane as profitable, just not profitable enough for Microsoft.
What staff are asking for
The union wants employees to have a voice in choosing any new owner and protection from layoffs for the next few years. If no sale happens, it calls Microsoft's redundancy offer far too low and asks for €200,000 per employee plus further support.
Where the sale stands
Arkane was given until December to find a buyer after Xbox's wide cuts and studio sell-offs. Ubisoft is reported to be one of the interested companies, but nothing has been agreed. Other Xbox studios, including Double Fine, Compulsion Games and Undead Labs, bought their independence but cut staff to do it.
For players waiting on Blade, the outcome decides whether the game ships with its original team, with a new owner, or at all.
Source: Eurogamer, citing the union's statement.
