Despite recent concerns about Xbox studio closures, Bethesda Softworks boss Todd Howard has offered a positive update on Arkane Lyon's work on Marvel's Blade. Howard stated that the studio is progressing well with the game, which was announced at the 2023 Game Awards and has remained largely out of public view since.
Arkane Lyon was notably absent from the recent Xbox Games Showcase, further fueling speculation about the studio's status. Reports of potential closures within Microsoft's gaming division had led to fears that Blade might have been quietly canceled. However, Howard, speaking to Entertainment Weekly, confirmed that development is ongoing and expressed optimism about the project's trajectory after seeing recent work from the Arkane team.
"I'm not at liberty to say when [we'll see more]," Howard told the publication, "but I saw some stuff just yesterday [on May 21] and the folks at Arkane are doing a really, really great job."
This statement provides a welcome sign of activity for the highly anticipated title. However, the current climate within Xbox leaves room for caution. Microsoft has recently shown a willingness to announce new projects even as studios face impending closure, a strategy that has drawn skepticism given the company's history of culling development staff and projects. The closure of Arkane Austin in 2024 serves as a recent example of this approach. Howard's confirmation that Blade remains in development does not entirely alleviate concerns about Arkane Lyon's long-term future within the company.