Arkane Lyon Has Until November 13 to Find a Buyer

Arkane Lyon has until November 13 to find a buyer, or the French studio could close and put 217 jobs at risk, according to reporting on its consultation process. Microsoft says it is actively seeking a partner for the studio and its game Marvel’s Blade, whose future would also be affected if no arrangement is reached. The deadline marks the end of a buyer-search consultation involving Microsoft and Arkane Lyon’s employee representatives. The process follows Microsoft’s decision to divest the studio, which was communicated to staff in July, according to reporting on the consultation. French law requires large companies to seek a buyer for at least three months before closing a site. A union representative told Le Monde that several forms of takeover are being considered. The representative said a challenge in court has not been ruled out if closure proceeds. The union is also seeking ways for affected employees to be rehired elsewhere within Xbox, while talks over a redundancy plan are underway. The representative said Marvel’s Blade is nearing the end of production. Microsoft told Le Monde it is actively seeking a partner to support the game’s next development phase and...