Recent reports indicate that Ubisoft has submitted a bid to Microsoft to acquire Arkane Lyon, with at least two other unnamed game companies also competing. Microsoft is also considering selling the studio to its management team, but no formal agreement has been reached with any potential buyer yet.
Relevant negotiations are still in the early stages, and no bid terms have been made public. Xbox stated only that it is evaluating options before the deadline, and Ubisoft reportedly declined to comment. Therefore, current reports do not imply that Ubisoft has completed the acquisition.
This arrangement is related to Microsoft's adjustments to its studios. Under French labor laws, large companies must find a buyer and complete negotiation procedures before closing facilities. The evaluation period for Arkane Lyon has been extended; while reports differ slightly on the initial deadline, all point to December as a key milestone.
The potential deal also concerns Marvel's Blade, currently in development at Arkane Lyon. New funding could help the studio continue completing the project, but reports vary on the remaining development time. Some suggest the game may launch within the next year or two, or within 24 months, while others warn of conflicting information regarding development progress.
Marvel's Blade was announced in 2023, set in Paris and featuring a third-person perspective. Currently, the studio's final ownership, whether the project will proceed as planned, and its future release platforms have not been officially confirmed.