Entertainment · Gaming · 1 hr ago
Ubisoft and other companies bid for Arkane as Xbox weighs its future
Ubisoft and at least two other companies have bid for Arkane Studios, the developer behind Dishonored and Deathloop.
Arkane is part of Microsoft’s Xbox division, which is seeking to sell several studios after announcing major cuts.
No buyer has been chosen, and Xbox has also considered selling Arkane to its own management.
Arkane is based in Lyon, France, where labor laws require Microsoft to seek a potential buyer.
Xbox is exploring options ahead of a December deadline, but has not given details of the negotiations.
Arkane is developing Marvel’s Blade, a game announced in 2023 that has been delayed until at least late 2027.
A sale could give the studio a chance to continue making Blade, while its future remains uncertain until a deal is reached.
Ubisoft and at least two other companies have reportedly bid to acquire Arkane Studios from Microsoft.
Microsoft is also considering selling the studio to its management, and has not accepted an offer.
Xbox says it is exploring options ahead of a December deadline.
Arkane Lyon’s future is uncertain amid Microsoft’s plans to divest studios and French labor-law requirements.
A sale could allow the studio to continue developing Marvel’s Blade.
- Who
- Ubisoft and at least two other unnamed companies have reportedly bid for Arkane. Microsoft is also considering a sale to the studio’s management.
- What
- The companies are seeking to acquire Arkane Studios from Microsoft.
- When
- The bids were reported on November 3, 2026. Xbox is exploring options ahead of a December deadline.
- Where
- Arkane Lyon is based in Lyon, France.
- Why
- Microsoft plans to divest studios, and French labor laws require a search for a potential buyer for Arkane.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Arkane announced Marvel’s Blade at The Game Awards.
Microsoft outlined plans to divest five internal studios.
Reports said Arkane faced a mid-November deadline to find a buyer or face closure.
Reports said Ubisoft and at least two other companies had submitted bids for Arkane.
Xbox said it was exploring options for the studio ahead of this deadline.
- Reported bidders
- Ubisoft and at least two other companies
- Possible alternative
- Sale to Arkane’s management
- Studio location
- Lyon, France
- Xbox deadline
- December 2026
- Marvel’s Blade announcement
- The Game Awards, 2023
6 sources
Ubisoft One of Multiple Companies to Bid for Dishonored Dev Arkane
Arkane and its Blade game may end up at Ubisoft as Xbox considers offers
Ubisoft Makes Bid to Purchase Xbox Studio on the Brink of Closure
Arkane Lyon have multiple buyers interested
Ubisoft reportedly bids to buy Dishonored maker Arkane from Microsoft
Ubisoft has reportedly offered to buy Arkane Lyon from Xbox
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exploring options
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