Xbox Extends Arkane Lyon Closure Consultation as Search for Buyer Continues to Save 217 Jobs

Microsoft's Xbox has agreed to a union request to extend the consultation period for Arkane Lyon, the acclaimed studio behind Dishonored and Deathloop, by approximately one month. The extension comes as parent company ZeniMax Media explores potential buyers for the Lyon, France-based developer, which employs around 217 people. If no buyer is found, the studio faces likely closure. The move follows pressure from French labor unions, which argued that the original 60-day consultation window was insufficient given the complexity of a potential sale. Arkane Lyon is known for its critically praised immersive sims, and its closure would mark a significant loss for Xbox's first-party lineup and the wider industry. The extension offers a glimmer of hope for employees and fans, but the future remains uncertain. The clock is ticking for Xbox to secure a deal that preserves one of Europe's most talented development teams.