Arkane Lyon's union accused Microsoft of sabotaging Marvel's Blade development in a November 4 statement.
The Syndicat des Travailleureuses du Jeu Vidéo (STJV) also challenges the financial case for shutting Arkane down. “Arkane is profitable. Just not profitable enough for Microsoft,” the workers write. The studio's closure would put 217 employees out of work if no buyer is found.
Workers challenge Arkane closure
Why the union blames Microsoft's management
Microsoft announced plans to part ways with Arkane and several other studios in July. Workers are now negotiating over the studio's future while development continues on Marvel's Blade.
The union also disputes how Arkane's finances are presented. It says remaining cash is systematically transferred to the wider group through cash pooling, leaving the studio's own reserves low. Workers further argue that previous Arkane games, which they say have collectively sold tens of millions of copies, are not reflected in the company's results.
Workers still want to finish Marvel's Blade
The statement describes work on Blade as “going fine” and says the game's expected quality matches the standard of Arkane's previous releases. The workers' criticism targets Microsoft's management of the studio, while their stated goal remains to complete the game.
“We want to finish Blade and release it to the players, as well as the many games the future holds for Arkane,” the statement reads. “This is our dearest wish.”
The union also wants a future beyond this project. Workers say keeping development going cannot come at any cost to employees, making their demands about both Blade's completion and the conditions under which the studio could continue operating.
A buyer, employee protections, and a closure deadline
Microsoft has extended the search for a buyer by one month. STJV says that extension followed workers drawing public attention to the situation, and it wants employees to have more influence over any acquisition.
Its demands for a sale include:
- Employee representation in choosing a buyer, beyond the mandatory works council consultation.
- A protection fund equivalent to redundancy-plan compensation if the buyer dismisses employees for economic reasons within 24 months of an acquisition.
If Arkane closes, the union wants Microsoft to fund a larger compensation package proportionate to the company's resources. It describes the proposed redundancy provision as “outrageously low” and is seeking:
- Increased redundancy payments.
- Two years of redeployment support funded by Microsoft.
- Shared resources for training and the creation of new studios, plus a residual bonus.
- Compensation for independent workers whose contracts are terminated.
Microsoft reported $36.6 billion in net income for the first quarter of its 2027 fiscal year. The union argues that the company should use its resources to protect the workers affected by its decision.
