Ubisoft Bids to Acquire Xbox Studio Facing Closure

Microsoft plans to divest Arkane Studios, the developer behind Dishonored and the upcoming Marvel’s Blade, amid widespread layoffs across Xbox and other divisions. Because Arkane is based in Lyon, France, Xbox is subject to French labor laws that require it to seek a potential buyer for the studio.

Ubisoft, the company behind Assassin’s Creed, is among at least three businesses to have submitted an offer for Arkane, Bloomberg reported. Xbox is also considering a sale to Arkane’s management, according to the report.

The studio’s future appeared uncertain last month, when negotiations over a redundancy plan for employees facing potential layoffs were reportedly progressing poorly ahead of a November 13 deadline. That deadline for finding Arkane a new owner has since been extended. Bloomberg reports that Xbox is exploring its options ahead of a December deadline and has not yet accepted an offer.

The future of Marvel’s Blade

Marvel’s Blade was unveiled at The Game Awards in 2023, nearly three years ago. Arkane has shared little about the project since its announcement, and its internal target release date was pushed back to late 2027.

If Arkane is sold rather than shut down, the studio will likely be able to finish its game starring the Daywalker. Bloomberg reports that Blade is expected to launch within the next year or two.

Blade is a popular Marvel character known as a dhampir: a hybrid of a human and a vampire. He has appeared in games including Marvel’s Midnight Suns, Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls, and Marvel Rivals.

Source: Polygon