According to exclusive reports from Jason Schreier at Bloomberg published on November 3, 2026, Microsoft is actively considering multiple offers to divest Arkane Studios. The tech giant faces a critical deadline of December 13 to finalize the studio's future. Among the potential buyers identified is Ubisoft, which is competing with at least two other video game companies whose identities have not yet been disclosed. Additionally, the possibility of an employee-led buyout by the Lyon-based management team remains under consideration.
This development follows Microsoft's announcement in July regarding a restructuring plan that included 3,200 job cuts within its Xbox division. As Arkane Studios is located in France, Microsoft was required to consult with employee representatives before proceeding with any closure. Although this consultation period was initially set to end on November 13, the company extended it by one month into December to allow time for finding a partner capable of supporting the studio through the completion of its current projects. Reports from Le Monde indicate that approximately 217 jobs in Lyon are currently at stake.
The potential sale offers a lifeline for Marvel's Blade, a AAA title announced at The Game Awards in December 2023. The project combines Arkane's expertise in immersive simulation games, known for titles like Dishonored and Deathloop, with the iconic vampire hunter franchise from Marvel. The game's future had been threatened by the major restructuring led by Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, particularly after the abrupt closure of sister studio Arkane Austin in 2024 following the commercial failure of Redfall. While other studios targeted by the plan, such as Double Fine and Compulsion Games, regained their independence in July while retaining their games and licenses, Arkane's fate remains pending.
Industry analysis suggests that an acquisition would likely enable Arkane to finish Marvel's Blade, which is expected to launch within the next one to two years. For Ubisoft, acquiring Arkane would represent a significant strategic move to strengthen its European development infrastructure with one of France's most respected studios. Conversely, selling the studio rather than closing it allows Microsoft to send a more measured signal while confirming its drastic refocusing strategy. As of now, no agreement has been reached, offer amounts have not been disclosed, and Ubisoft has not responded to Bloomberg's reporting.
Sources: Numerama.