Ubisoft Reportedly Bidding To Buy Arkane Lyon From Xbox

Ubisoft is one of at least three companies trying to buy Arkane Lyon from Microsoft, according to a Bloomberg report covered by IGN and others. The studio behind Dishonored and the in-development Marvel's Blade is on the block as part of Microsoft's wider Xbox restructuring.

Per the report, no bid has been accepted yet. Microsoft is considering selling the studio to its own management to make it independent, PC Gamer notes, but that path's status is unclear. A successful sale would let Arkane Lyon finish work on Marvel's Blade, which Bloomberg states could arrive in the next couple of years.

The search for a buyer was reportedly extended by a month past a November deadline, giving the studio more time to secure its future. This followed the closure of Arkane's Austin, Texas studio earlier in 2024.

While a move to Ubisoft would keep the French developer under a large publisher, PC Gamer points out Ubisoft has faced its own financial struggles and layoffs. However, both companies are based in France, and Arkane's design strengths could theoretically align with Ubisoft's major franchises.