Microsoft is considering shutting down French game developer Arkane, known for Dishonored and Deathloop. According to French newspaper Le Monde, the company has given the studio until November 13 to find a buyer willing to acquire the business and keep it running.
Around 217 jobs at the studio in Lyon, France, are at risk. Simon, a union representative whose name was changed, said the announcement initially left employees in a state of shock, which soon turned into great anger. He also described Microsoft's decision as inconsistent.
Studio management informed employees of Microsoft's plans to close the developer on July 16. The move is part of a broader restructuring of Microsoft's gaming division, announced on July 6 by newly appointed Xbox CEO Asha Sharma. At the time, the company warned that approximately 1,600 jobs would be cut and that four studios would be shut down: Compulsion Games, Double Fine Productions, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs. Arkane was initially still being considered for other strategic options.
Microsoft acquired Arkane Studios through its purchase of ZeniMax in 2021. However, French law requires large companies planning to close a local facility to spend three months looking for a potential buyer. This is why Microsoft must attempt to find a new owner before the deadline.
The studio's potential closure could also put Marvel's Blade at risk. According to the available information, development of the game is already approaching its final stages, but shutting down Arkane could jeopardize the project's future. There has been no official confirmation that the game has been canceled.
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