French game union accuses Microsoft of 'sabotaging' Blade and then using the fallout to justify closing Arkane
The STJV union says Microsoft imposed hiring freezes at Arkane that resulted in delays and additional expenses, which it then cited as reasons for shutting it down.
The French game union, Syndicat des Travailleureuses du Jeu Vidéo (STJV), has accused Microsoft of sabotaging the development of Marvel's Blade and then using the resulting delays to justify closing Arkane Studios. Despite the union stating that development of Blade is progressing well and the game is on par with Arkane's previous work, including titles like Dishonored and Prey, workers are facing the possibility of their studio being shut down.
Microsoft's decision to freeze hiring for 19 months and cause delays was cited as the cause of these economic issues, which the union claims should not be used as justification for closing the studio. Microsoft allegedly chose to justify the closure on economic reasons, even though the studio is profitable. The union demands that Microsoft take full responsibility for the situation and provide compensation to the affected employees.
They propose a protection fund for employees, equivalent to the PSE compensation, and a redundancy payment of 200,000€ ($225,000) if the studio is closed. The union believes that Microsoft, with its vast resources, has a moral obligation to ensure the workers' future is secured.
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