Business · Companies · 1 hr ago
Microsoft Extends Arkane Lyon's Search for a Buyer to December
Microsoft has given Arkane Lyon another month to find a buyer for the studio.
The new deadline is 13 December 2026, replacing the previous cutoff of 13 November.
Arkane Lyon is the developer behind the Dishonored games.
Microsoft said it is exploring options, including finding a partner to support the studio's remaining development work.
The headline identifies Blade as the project that needs a partner, though Microsoft’s quoted statement does not name it.
The extension gives Microsoft and the studio more time to work out how development will be supported.
The extended consultation period ends on 13 December 2026.
Microsoft extended the consultation period for finding a buyer or partner for Arkane Lyon by one month, to December 13, 2026.
The studio is continuing development on Marvel’s Blade, and Microsoft is seeking a partner to support the project.
The consultation process began in July after Xbox announced plans to divest the studio.
The original deadline was November 13, 2026.
A union representative said negotiations over the redundancy plan were going badly.
- Who
- Microsoft and Arkane Lyon are seeking a buyer or partner for the studio.
- What
- Microsoft extended the consultation period by one month while development on Marvel’s Blade continues.
- When
- The new deadline is December 13, 2026; the process began in July.
- Where
- Arkane Lyon, in France.
- Why
- Microsoft is exploring options for the studio, including finding a partner to support Blade’s development and commercialisation.
Microsoft
Printemps Écologique union representative
Reason for the studio’s proposed divestiture
Microsoft
Microsoft says it is exploring options and seeking a partner to support the studio’s next development phase and commercialisation of the project.
Printemps Écologique union representative
The union representative said divestiture contradicts what employees had been told about the company’s financial situation and argued Microsoft wants to save money and improve short-term investment profitability.
Redundancy plan
Microsoft
Microsoft’s position on the plan is not stated in the sources.
Printemps Écologique union representative
The union representative said negotiations were going badly and the plan should be adapted to a video game market with very limited prospects for returning to work.
Arkane Studios' Social and Economic Committee began consultations with Microsoft after Xbox announced its decision to divest the studio.
The original consultation deadline was scheduled to conclude.
Microsoft confirmed that it had extended the consultation period by one month.
The extended deadline for the consultation period.
- New deadline
- December 13, 2026
- Original deadline
- November 13, 2026
- Consultation began
- July
- Studio
- Arkane Lyon
- Game in development
- Marvel’s Blade
3 sources
What people are saying
this is a defined extension, and we remain committed to keeping the Works Council informed throughout the process.
We continue to explore different options for Arkane as part of the ongoing French consultation process. We are keeping the works council and employees informed and are actively seeking a partner to support the next phase of development and enable the commercialisation of the project.
We have extended the consultation period by one additional month as we explore options, including finding a partner to support the studio through the development work still ahead,
negotiations on the redundancy plan are going badly