Arkane Lyon Reportedly Could Be Closed in Mid-November if a Buyer Isn't Found, With Marvel's Blade Still in Development

Arkane Lyon is still working on Marvel’s Blade, but it’s doing it with the Sword of Damocles dangling over the heads of its 217 employees.

According to French outlet Le Monde, Florange Law, adopted in 2014 in France, requires companies with more than 1,000 employees to search for a buyer for at least three months before closing a studio. According to the report, the search for a buyer for the Dishonored 2 and Deathloop developer began in the summer, meaning the deadline is imminent — November 13.

The studio was informed of Microsoft’s decision on July 16, shortly after new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced closure or spinoff plans for Compulsion Games, Double Fine Productions, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs — Ninja Theory was closed while the other studios went independent, taking their franchises with them. Over 1,600 jobs were affected across Microsoft's gaming business at the time. More have followed, and more are set to follow still.

According to …