Update ():
While Arkane Lyon’s future seemed precarious following today’s updates, Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier followed up with more positive news.
He said “several avenues are being explored” to save the studio and that he “would be surprised if it was closed.”
However, he warns that “anything can happen during the negotiations”.
Original story: While the future of legacy Xbox developers like Double Fine and Undead Labs has already been determined, it’s been a while since we’ve heard from Arkane Lyon, the studio behind the popular Dishonored games.
Today, an article from Le Monde (paywalled) gives an overview of the difficulties of the French studio, which is racing to find a buyer before the deadline of November 13.
As you may recall, Microsoft was unable to shut down the studio immediately due to a consultation period required by French law. The Redmond firm is obliged to try to sell the studio, but the prescribed three-month deadline is now coming to an end.
The team has until November 13 to find new funding, otherwise the studio will be closed and approximately 217 jobs will be lost. According to the report, negotiations are underway.
Union representatives claim the team’s current project, Marvel’s Blade – which was announced in 2023 – is “near the end of production”. Spokespeople for the studio believe it will be a success if it sees the light of day.
But these same people criticize Microsoft for its “disrespectful” treatment of the team.
“We are collateral victims of Xbox’s change in strategy,” said one of those present.
As mentioned above, Microsoft has already shut down UK studio Ninja Theory and offloaded various other teams like Compulsion Games et al.
It’s also in the process of revamping its entire first-party operations, which appears to be ending Xbox Game Studios as it brings its remaining teams under the umbrella of Bethesda and Activision. Its goal is to focus on big franchises like Fallout and Call of Duty.
The scary thing is that the platform’s creation is not yet complete: it has eliminated more than 1,800 jobs so far, but more layoffs are coming as it aims to eliminate 3,200 positions in total.
Gn tech
