Arkane Lyon has a little more time. Microsoft has extended the consultation period covering the Dishonored studio by one month, pushing the deadline from Nov. 13 to Dec. 13, according to a statement reported by GamesRadar+ and Push Square.
“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,” Microsoft said. “This is a defined extension, and we remain committed to keeping the Works Council informed throughout the process.”
The move follows reports earlier this month that the French studio had until Nov. 13 to find a buyer as Marvel’s Blade nears completion. Arkane Lyon employs around 217 people, and under French labor rules any major change to its future has to go through a formal consultation with the studio’s Works Council, the employee body that represents staff in talks with management.
What has changed is the language. Instead of focusing only on a sale, Microsoft is now openly talking about bringing in a partner to help the team get Marvel’s Blade across the finish line. That could mean another company taking on part of the cost or publishing role, though Microsoft has not said who it is talking to or what a deal might look like.
Blade was revealed at The Game Awards in 2023 as an action game starring Marvel’s vampire hunter, with Arkane Lyon building it in its own style of stealth and immersive sim design. The studio is best known for the Dishonored series, Deathloop and the earlier Arx Fatalis, and it has been one of the most closely watched teams inside Xbox since Microsoft bought ZeniMax.
The extension lands during a difficult stretch for Xbox, which has been dealing with leadership changes and reports of further layoff rounds. For now, the people at Arkane Lyon keep working on Blade while the talks continue, with Dec. 13 as the new date to watch.
