A French video game union has accused Microsoft’s gaming division of “sabotaging” Arkane as the company searches for a buyer for the studio. In an open letter published November 4, the Syndicat des Travailleureuses du Jeu Vidéo (STJV) called on Microsoft to let Arkane finish Marvel’s Blade and release it to players.
The union said development of Blade is going well and that the game is meeting the quality level Arkane’s players expect. It argued that a 19-month hiring freeze imposed by Xbox artificially slowed production and increased costs. The studio’s closure, it added, could cost more than completing the game.
Marvel’s Blade was announced in 2022 and is reportedly still a couple of years from release. Arkane, the 25-year-old studio behind Dishonored and Deathloop, has 217 employees who could be affected by a closure, according to the union.
Microsoft has extended its search for a buyer, with Ubisoft and other parties reportedly making bids. The company has also considered a management buyout. STJV said it wants Arkane to continue making games, including Blade and future projects.
If a sale cannot be arranged, the union is calling for redundancy payments of about $225,000 per employee, along with other post-employment benefits. It said Arkane is profitable, but not profitable enough for Microsoft.
Sources: Kotaku.