Ubisoft reportedly among studios offering to buy Arkane from Microsoft as it tries to finish Blade
AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication
Ubisoft and at least two other firms have reportedly submitted offers to acquire Arkane Studios, the French developer behind Dishonored and the upcoming Marvel Blade game, as Microsoft evaluates a broader divestiture of Xbox studios. Bloomberg says Ubisoft’s bid is in talks, while other buyers include Double Fine, which previously spun out after Microsoft’s restructuring. Arkane’s future became unclear after Microsoft extended a deadline to “explore options” for the studio, and two attempts to rescue Ninja Theory collapsed. Blade, which has occupied Arkane for years following the closure of its Austin branch, requires new financing to reach completion. A sale to Ubisoft would align the two French studios’ stealth‑action heritage but raises questions about Ubisoft’s own studio closures and reset strategy.
💡 Why It Matters
- · Keeping Arkane under a French owner could safeguard its development pipeline and retain European talent, speeding Blade’s finish.
- · It also shows Microsoft’s readiness to shed costly studios as it reshapes the Xbox portfolio.
