Microsoft has received buyout proposals from multiple publishers looking to acquire Arkane Studios, the French development team currently producing Marvel's Blade. Ubisoft and at least 2 other gaming companies submitted bids for the Lyon based developer, according to a Bloomberg report by Jason Schreier citing people familiar with the talks. An internal management buyout remains another path under active consideration, though Microsoft has not finalized terms with any party.
Financial details for the bids remain undisclosed. Any completed acquisition will likely permit Arkane Lyon to finish Marvel's Blade, an action project announced in 2023 with an expected release window within the next 1 or 2 years. An Xbox spokesperson confirmed the company is currently evaluating options ahead of an internal December deadline but declined to elaborate on specific negotiations. Ubisoft representatives did not provide comment.
Arkane Lyon created the Dishonored franchise and the time traveling action release Deathloop. The developer joined Microsoft through the acquisition of parent company Bethesda Softworks in 2021. The separate Arkane Austin branch closed down in 2024 following the troubled release of Redfall.
The proposed divestment follows an earlier announcement by Xbox stating plans to sell Arkane alongside 4 other subsidiary teams. This move aligns with a broader corporate reset initiated by Xbox Chief Executive Officer Asha Sharma. While earlier industry rumors suggested Microsoft might shutter the Lyon team entirely, sources close to the discussions indicate that a formal sale is now the expected outcome.
