Ubisoft has reportedly bid to buy Arkane Studios from Xbox, according to a Bloomberg report published November 3, 2026. It is the biggest new twist yet in the fight for the future of the Dishonored and Deathloop studio — but a bid is not a purchase, and no deal has been agreed.
Who bid, and what Xbox is weighing
Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier reports that Ubisoft is one of at least three companies to submit a bid for Arkane, with the other two bidders unnamed. Xbox is also considering selling the studio to its own management, which would make Arkane independent. No offer has been accepted, no terms have leaked, and Ubisoft declined to comment when asked about the report.
Why Arkane is for sale
Microsoft intends to divest from Arkane Studios as part of its mass layoffs across Xbox and other divisions. The studio was not closed outright because French labor law required Microsoft to seek a buyer first for its Lyon, France site, putting 217 jobs at risk. That consultation process was extended by a month in October, moving the deadline from November 13 to December 13, 2026. An Xbox representative told Bloomberg the company is exploring options ahead of that December deadline.
What happens to Marvel’s Blade
Arkane Lyon is developing Marvel’s Blade, announced at The Game Awards in 2023 and quiet ever since. Its internal ship date was reportedly delayed to late 2027, but Bloomberg says the game is expected to release within the next year or two if Arkane survives. Whoever buys the studio — Ubisoft, another bidder, or its own management — would decide the fate of one of Xbox’s most closely watched projects.
This is a follow-up to our earlier report on Arkane Lyon’s search for a buyer. We will update this story as soon as Xbox accepts an offer or the December deadline passes.
