Marvel's Blade might never see the light of day if Arkane Lyon cannot find a buyer or another way to secure its future. Microsoft has extended the deadline for the studio to mid-December, giving more time to explore possible solutions.
The consultation period was previously expected to end on November 13. Microsoft confirmed the extension in a statement to PC Gamer, saying it was exploring options for the studio, including finding a partner to support the remaining development work. However, Arkane Lyon's future remains uncertain, with more than 200 jobs reportedly at risk if no solution is found.
What does this mean for Marvel's Blade?
Arkane Lyon, the studio behind Dishonored 2, Dishonored: Death of the Outsider and Deathloop, announced Marvel's Blade at The Game Awards in 2023. The single-player action game follows the Marvel character in Paris during a vampire emergency.
Finding a partner could help keep development moving, but neither Microsoft nor Arkane has announced a release date. The game has not been cancelled, and the exact amount of work remaining is unclear. Union representatives have reportedly described the project as being close to completion, although this has not been confirmed as an official development update from Microsoft or Arkane.
Could Dishonored and Deathloop also be affected?
A closure could also affect Arkane Lyon's future projects and its ability to support existing games. Deathloop was released in 2021, while Dishonored remains one of the studio's best-known series. However, Microsoft has not announced that Deathloop updates will stop or confirmed the cancellation of any future Dishonored game.
For now, Marvel's Blade is the biggest question mark. Microsoft has until mid-December to explore a solution for Arkane Lyon, but whether the studio will survive and finish the game remains to be seen.
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