Things are stirring at Arkane: According to a Bloomberg report, at least three companies are interested in acquiring the studio, including Ubisoft. This is being reported by Eurogamer and Wccftech, among others, citing Jason Schreier. A decision has not yet been made.
Who Wants to Buy Arkane?
According to the report, only the French publisher Ubisoft is specifically named, currently in talks with Microsoft about acquiring the French studio. In total, at least three bidders are said to be in the running. Additionally, Xbox reportedly considered selling Arkane to its own management.
Why Is Time Running Out for Arkane?
As part of Asha Sharma's restructuring, Xbox has parted ways with several studios. Following union pressure, Arkane was given a deadline until December instead of November to find a buyer and avert closure. If a sale goes through, up to 217 jobs would be saved, and the team could complete Marvel’s Blade. According to Bloomberg, the game is expected to be released in one to two years, so it's likely not as close as some reports suggested.
How Did It Turn Out for the Other Studios?
Double Fine, Compulsion Games, and Undead Labs are now independent. Ninja Theory, however, did not find a buyer, and their situation appears to be the bleakest. In total, over 1,600 jobs were cut at Xbox, with another 1,600 expected to follow by the end of the fiscal year.
From our perspective, interest from several parties is a good sign for Arkane. By the December deadline, it should become clear who will ultimately acquire them. Until then, it remains a report that the parties involved have not confirmed.
Would Ubisoft be a good new owner for Arkane? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
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