Arkane Studios, the developer behind titles such as Dishonored and Marvel's Blade, has reportedly attracted acquisition interest from a number of publishers, including Ubisoft. The studio has been in a state of uncertainty for months following Xbox's decision to divest itself from the developer.
According to a Bloomberg report, Arkane was recently granted an extension until December to find a buyer, a reprieve from an earlier November deadline secured through union efforts. This extension allows for ongoing discussions with potential acquirers. Ubisoft is named as one of at least three companies currently in talks with Microsoft regarding the purchase of the French studio. However, no decision has been finalized.
The report also suggested that Xbox had considered selling Arkane to its management. Such a sale could preserve the studio, potentially saving up to 217 jobs and allowing the team to complete Marvel's Blade. Recent reports indicated the game was nearing completion, though Bloomberg suggests a release within the next one to two years.
Arkane is one of several studios affected by Microsoft CEO Asha Sharma's business restructuring, which has led to significant layoffs. Other divested studios, including Double Fine, Compulsion Games, and Undead Labs, have successfully transitioned to independent operations. Hellblade developer Ninja Theory, like Arkane, faced considerable uncertainty, with Ninja Theory's future appearing particularly precarious after failing to secure a buyer.
Given Arkane's December deadline, further details regarding the studio's new ownership are anticipated in the near future. The image shows a scene from Marvel's Blade.