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Arkane union says Xbox is ‘sabotaging’ Blade development A French union representing workers at Arkane has accused Xbox of “sabotaging” the development of Marvel’s Blade by putting a 19-month ban on hiring new staff. The union’s statement reads: “Today, as work on Blade is going fine, and the level of quality of the game to be expected is on [par] with what Arkane has accustomed its players, workers have to face the harsh reality: our studio might get closed because, and only because, Microsoft decided to, even if that means sabotaging the game it funded.” “The decision to close Arkane is solely the brutal application of a never-ending search for maximum profit optimisation,” the post continues. “Arkane is profitable. Just not profitable enough for Microsoft.” The union has outlined a list of demands for Xbox. These include giving Arkane a say in who would potentially acquire the studio, and a higher redundancy payout should Arkane be closed down. Right now, Arkane says that the redundancy being offered by Xbox is “outrageously low.” However, Arkane makes it clear that it would like to remain open and continue development on Blade. It also argues that it is in Xbox’s interest to stick with Arkane: “Even this closure itself is done against any financial logic, as closing Arkane today would probably be more expensive than finishing the game.” via: VGC videogameschronicle.com/news…

Jason Schreier | Multiple companies have made offers to Microsoft Corp. to acquire Arkane Studios “Multiple companies have made offers to Microsoft Corp. to acquire Arkane Studios, the French video-game developer behind the Dishonored series and an upcoming title based on the Blade comic books, according to people familiar with the negotiations.” “Ubisoft Entertainment SA made a bid for the studio, as have at least two other gaming companies, said the people, who asked to not be identified because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly. Xbox has also weighed selling the studio to its management.” via: Bloomberg bloomberg.com/news/articles/…