Arkane union says closing the studio “would probably be more expensive” for Xbox than simply finishing Marvel’s Blade
French union STJV representing Arkane Lyon workers has accused Microsoft of sabotaging the development of Marvel’s Blade and engineering the studio’s closure through financial manipulation.
The union claims Microsoft imposed a 19-month hiring freeze at the studio that artificially created delays and increased development costs. These same delays and cost overruns are now being cited by Xbox as justification for closing Arkane Lyon entirely—a circular logic the union views as intentional sabotage.
According to the union’s statements, Marvel’s Blade is going fine and remains on track to meet Arkane’s established quality standards. The development team insists the game is comparable in quality to Arkane’s acclaimed previous work. The union further argues that closing the studio would likely prove more expensive than simply funding the game to completion.
The union has also characterized Arkane as profitable, though it acknowledges the studio isn’t generating returns substantial enough to satisfy Microsoft’s financial expectations. Workers are reportedly seeking a solid offer from Microsoft as part of ongoing negotiations over the studio’s future.
This dispute highlights tensions between corporate cost-cutting measures and the human cost of consolidation in the gaming industry, with the union positioning the studio closure as both economically questionable and ethically problematic.
Sources
- Arkane union says closing the studio “would probably be more expensive” for Xbox than simply finishing Marvel’s Blade
- Arkane union accuses Microsoft of “sabotaging” Marvel’s Blade with 19-month hiring freeze
- French game union accuses Microsoft of ‘sabotaging’ Blade and then using the fallout to justify closing Arkane
- “Arkane is profitable,” say Marvel’s Blade developers in fiery new statement, “just not profitable enough for Microsoft”
- Arkane union says Xbox is ‘sabotaging’ Blade development