Union Claims Xbox’s Closure of Arkane Lyon Would Cost More Than Finishing Marvel’s Blade
- A union representing Arkane Lyon workers asserts that closing the studio would be costlier than completing Marvel’s Blade.
- The development of Marvel’s Blade is claimed to be progressing well, with potential interest from Ubisoft for acquisition.
- The union demands employee involvement in choosing a buyer and better severance packages amidst layoffs in the industry.
The Syndicat des travailleureuses du jeu vidéo (STJV), a union for Arkane Lyon employees, has stated that Xbox may incur more costs in shutting down the studio than in finishing and releasing Marvel’s Blade. This assertion follows Xbox’s recent lay-offs and divestments from several first-party studios.
According to a statement from the STJV, the development of Marvel’s Blade is “going fine” and aligns with Arkane’s recognized portfolio. The union claims that Microsoft’s decision to separate from Arkane is akin to “sabotaging the game it funded.”
Currently, Arkane Lyon faces a deadline in December to secure a new buyer to safeguard its future. Ubisoft Entertainment is reportedly interested in acquiring the studio, known for Dishonored and Prey, though discussions remain unfinalized.
The STJV has also attributed various challenges at Arkane to Microsoft, highlighting a hiring freeze that lasted over a year. This freeze purportedly inflated the game’s budget and led to further internal delays. The union remarked, “Microsoft now uses those same delays and additional costs as a reason to close the studio.”
The STJV described the potential closure as financially illogical, observing that it would likely be costlier than completing Marvel’s Blade. They stated, “The truth is that Microsoft based its decision only on stone cold and inhuman logic,” adding that Arkane remains profitable, but not to Microsoft’s financial satisfaction.
The union’s demands include allowing employees to participate in the selection of a potential buyer and ensuring protections against lay-offs in the coming years. Furthermore, they characterized Microsoft’s redundancy package as “outrageously low” and are seeking a severance payment of €200,000 per employee, along with additional support.
Arkane is not alone in facing the repercussions of Xbox’s restructuring; studios such as Double Fine, Compulsion Games, and Undead Labs have regained independence but at the cost of staff lay-offs. The outlook for Ninja Theory, known for Hellblade, also appears uncertain.
News Courtesy of Eurogamer
