French publication Le Monde has reported that Arkane Studios has until November 13 to find a buyer to acquire it. The report comes a few months after Xbox proposed closure for studios such as Ninja Theory, while selling off Undead Labs and Double Fine.
The report cites a union representative from Printemps Ecologique, Arkane Studios’ sole representative trade union. The representative states that several takeover options are being considered as Microsoft seeks a partner for the studio. Since 1,000 employees would be affected by Arkane’s closure, Xbox must find a buyer for Arkane for a certain amount of time as part of France’s Florange Law. The deadline will end on November 13.
Reliable industry insider and reporter for Bloomberg Jason Schreier also notes that “My understanding is that there are multiple paths actively being explored that would save Arkane Lyon. Anything can happen during negotiations, but at this point I’d be surprised if the studio is shut down. One important piece of context that many people might not realize: Shutting down a game studio is expensive. Shutting down a French game studio — thanks to labor laws requiring an extended severance period — is VERY expensive. Xbox doesn’t want to take on those costs.”
The same representative for Printemps Ecologique has also stated that Arkane’s next game, Marvel’s Blade, is nearing the end of production. Xbox has made several additional adjustments to its studio organization, which is as follows:
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- Activision will expand its remit to World’s Edge, as well as Rare. Activision will also be developing the next Halo title, led by a new, purpose-built team that is separate from ongoing development and plans for Call of Duty. A small team at Halo Studios will continue supporting the Halo community and games in-market.
- Bethesda will expand its remit to include Obsidian, which will continue its current projects, including Grounded, as well as the new Fallout project made in collaboration with Bethesda Game Studios.
- King will expand its remit to include Microsoft Casual Games, uniting our two global leaders in casual game design and live operations.
- Playground and Turn 10 will come together as one studio focused on the Forza and Fable franchises. These two studios have been creative and franchise partners for over a decade, and today’s changes will formally move their work into one team.
