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Arkane union says closing the studio "would probably be more expensive" for Xbox than simply finishing development on Marvel's Blade
The French union says closing Arkane would cost more than finishing Marvel’s Blade and is seeking a say in any sale and stronger redundancy support.
- Xbox faces a December deadline to sell Arkane, the 25-year-old studio developing Marvel's Blade, as Ubisoft Entertainment reportedly considers a bid for the Dishonored and Prey maker.
- The French union STJV alleges Microsoft 'sabotaged the game it funded' by instituting a 19-month hiring freeze that artificially inflated Blade's budget and caused internal delays.
- Closing Arkane would likely cost more than finishing the project, STJV argues, noting that 217 employees face potential job losses if Microsoft proceeds with studio shutdown.
- Should acquisition talks fail, STJV demands redundancy payments of roughly $225,000 per employee, plus protections against future layoffs and employee input on selecting a new buyer.
- Compulsion Games and Undead Labs previously bought their independence from Xbox, though both studios required staff layoffs during the transition, setting a precedent for Arkane's potential path forward.
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Arkane union says closing the studio "would probably be more expensive" for Xbox than simply finishing development on Marvel's Blade
Xbox would probably spend more money shutting down Arkane Lyon than it would trying to finish and release Marvel's Blade, according to a union representing workers from the beloved imsim studio.
Arkane Devs Fear Studio Shutdown Could Still Happen Despite Attracting Buyers
In case 2026 hasn’t already been an indication, not everything is copacetic in the game development industry. Today, union workers for Arkane Studios are unleashing a torrent of allegations leveled at Microsoft in a letter posted on the website of Syndicat des Travailleureuses du Jeu Vidéo (STJV), an independent French video game union. The letter […]
Microsoft is charged with sabotage of Arkane, freezing of employees, extra costs, closing of the studio, interest of companies in ransom.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources19
Leaning Left1Leaning Right0Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution75% Center
Bias Distribution
- 75% of the sources are Center
75% Center
L 25%
C 75%
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