Following Xbox's major restructuring announcement, Arkane founder Raphaël Colantonio surprised fans by asking Xbox CEO Asha Sharma how much it would cost to buy the studio.
Replying to Sharma's post on X outlining the company's upcoming changes and Arkane's uncertain future, Colantonio simply wrote, "How much?" before adding that he was "asking for a friend" along with a playful emoji. As a result, it remains unclear whether he was joking or hinting at genuine interest.
Colantonio co-founded Arkane and helped create Dishonored. He also directed projects including Arx Fatalis and Prey before leaving the studio in 2017. Two years later, he launched WolfEye Studios alongside former Arkane producer Julien Roby. The team's debut title was Weird West, and it is now developing a new first person immersive sim.
According to Microsoft's plans, Arkane is among the studios expected to be separated or sold rather than shut down. However, French labor laws require a longer legal process, meaning those discussions could only begin after the restructuring was officially announced.
Although Colantonio's message appeared to be a joke, it quickly gained traction among fans. Many users urged Microsoft to let the studio return to its founder. One commenter wrote, "Please sell it to this man," while another simply posted a Homer Simpson GIF with the caption, "Please, please, please."
The restructuring will also affect several other Xbox studios. Compulsion Games and Double Fine Productions are set to become independent, while Ninja Theory and Undead Labs will move under new ownership, although those buyers have not yet been revealed.
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