Ubisoft and other suitors submit offers to acquire Arkane Lyon from Xbox

French publisher Ubisoft and at least two other unnamed gaming companies have submitted bids to acquire game developer Arkane Lyon from parent company Microsoft. Bloomberg reported the buyout offers, which were also covered by Engadget, Windows Central and Rock Paper Shotgun. The potential sale comes as Xbox considers shedding studios following a wave of closures and cancellations. [1][4][7][8]

According to Rock Paper Shotgun, management at the French developer may also be in the running to acquire the studio. Windows Central reported that a sale could save Arkane Lyon from closure and allow work on its current project, Marvel's Blade, to continue. Pure Xbox added that the upcoming action adventure title is close to completion. [4][7][9]

As FTMQ Gaming reported earlier, Arkane Lyon faces a November 13 deadline to find a buyer or face closure by Microsoft, which could affect 217 staff members. French labour law required Microsoft to conduct a three month search for a buyer before closing the site. [17]

Founded in 1999 and based in Lyon, France, Arkane Studios is best known for creating Dishonored, Dishonored 2 and Deathloop. Its current project, Marvel's Blade, is an upcoming action adventure game based on the Marvel Comics character and is set to be published by Bethesda Softworks. Headquartered in Saint-Mande, bidder Ubisoft is known for franchises including Assassin's Creed and Far Cry. [13][14][15][17]