Last week, it was reported that a consultation process regarding Arkane Lyon (Arkane Studios), was poised to wrap up around November 13th.
However, there is a fresh update on the situation. In a statement provided to PC Gamer, Microsoft confirmed that the consultation period has officially been extended by another month, pushing any final decisions into December at the earliest.
According to a spokesperson, Xbox and Microsoft are actively exploring alternative routes to keep the studio afloat—specifically searching for a partner to help carry their upcoming title, Marvel’s Blade, over the finish line.
“We have extended the consultation period by one additional month as we explore options, including finding a partner to support the studio through the development work still ahead,” a Microsoft representative told PC Gamer. “This is a defined extension, and we remain committed to keeping the Works Council informed throughout the process.”
The primary focus of these discussions appears to be ensuring Marvel’s Blade reaches completion, especially given that the project is believed to be nearing the end of its multi-year development cycle.
Losing all that progress would be a massive blow, but losing Arkane Lyon entirely would be an even greater tragedy. This is, after all, the legendary team behind critically acclaimed titles like Dishonored, Prey, and Deathloop.
There is still reason to remain cautiously optimistic. Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier noted last week that he would be surprised to see the studio shut down completely.