{
  "id": 18177203,
  "title": "Arkane union accuses Microsoft of \"sabotaging\" Marvel's Blade with 19-month hiring freeze",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/arkane-union-accuses-microsoft-of-sabotaging-marvels-blade-with-19",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-11-04T20:17:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "GamesIndustry",
    "slug": "gamesindustry",
    "url": "https://www.gamesindustry.biz/arkane-union-accuses-microsoft-of-sabotaging-marvels-blade-with-19-month-hiring-freeze"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The French union representing Arkane Lyon's workers has accused Microsoft of sabotaging the development of Marvel's Blade. In a statement, the Syndicat des travailleuse et travailleurs du jeu vidéo (STJV) cited a 19-month hiring freeze as the root cause of delays, which now provide Microsoft with justification for the potential closure of the studio. According to the union, the freeze has led to delays and increased costs, which Microsoft is using as an economic justification for the studio's closure. Despite current reports of the game's progress and quality matching Arkane's usual standards, the STJV argues that Arkane is profitable but not profitable enough for Microsoft. The union warns that closing the studio would likely be more costly than completing the game. With 217 employees and contractors at risk of job loss, the union is urging workers to have a say in selecting any potential buyer and requesting a fund to protect laid-off staff within two years. If the studio does close, the union is seeking a $223,000 redundancy payment per worker and two years of Microsoft-funded redeployment support. Microsoft has not yet responded to the union's allegations. Arkane, founded in 1999, is known for the Dishonored series and Prey. It merged with Microsoft in 2021 through ZeniMax's acquisition. Xbox previously closed Arkane's Austin studio in 2024. Recently, it has been reported that Ubisoft is interested in acquiring Arkane Lyon following an extension of its consultation period with Xbox. Ubisoft is currently restructuring its own studio, organizing them into six Creative Houses.",
  "summary": "A French union representing workers at Arkane Lyon has accused Microsoft of sabotaging development of Marvel's Blade, claiming a 19-month hiring freeze caused the delays now being used to justify the studio's closure. Read more",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Rock Paper Shotgun",
        "title": "\"Arkane is profitable,\" say Marvel's Blade developers in fiery new statement, \"just not profitable enough for Microsoft\"",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/arkane-is-profitable-say-marvels-blade-developers-in-fiery-new",
        "published": "2026-11-04T18:02:20.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "PC Gamer",
        "title": "French game union accuses Microsoft of 'sabotaging' Blade and then using the fallout to justify closing Arkane",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/french-game-union-accuses-microsoft-of-sabotaging-blade-and-then",
        "published": "2026-11-04T20:51:28.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}