What Microsoft's Arkane Closure Means for Blade and Its 217…

If Arkane closes, 217 workers lose their jobs and Marvel's Blade—a near-finished game—may never release. The case highlights growing tensions between publishers and studios over cost-cutting and labor…

If Arkane closes, 217 workers lose their jobs and Marvel's Blade—a near-finished game—may never release. The case highlights growing tensions between publishers and studios over cost-cutting and labor…

Key points - STJV union claims Microsoft froze hiring at Arkane for 19 months, causing delays and costs used to justify closure. - Arkane Studios is understaffed and underfunded, with 217 employees facing potential layoffs if no buyer is found. - Union says closing Arkane would cost more than finishing Marvel's Blade, which is near completion and 'going fine'. - Microsoft extended the buyer deadline by one month after the union warned the press; Ubisoft is among at least three bidders. - Union demands €200K redundancy payments, two years' redeployment support, and a protection fund for employees.

Timeline - 19 months prior: Microsoft freezes hiring at Arkane Studios, which the union says artificially caused delays and additional costs. - Recent weeks: STJV publishes letter accusing Microsoft of sabotaging Blade to justify closing Arkane. - Just before the letter: Microsoft extends the deadline to find a buyer by one month, after the union warned the press. - Now: Ubisoft is among at least three companies that have bid on Arkane Studios.

FAQ

Q: Is Arkane Studios actually closing? A: Not yet. Microsoft is seeking a buyer, and the deadline was extended by one month. If no buyer is found, the studio will close, affecting 217 employees.

Q: What does this mean for Marvel's Blade? A: The union says Blade is 'going fine' and near completion, with quality on par with Arkane's previous games. A closure could jeopardize its release, though the union wants to finish it.

Q: Why does the union say Microsoft sabotaged the game? A: The union claims Microsoft froze hiring for 19 months, creating delays and costs, then used those same issues as economic justification to close the studio.