Xbox gave Arkane Lyon until Nov. 13 to find a new buyer as part of cost-cutting measures, according to Le Monde.
Microsoft informed Arkane Lyon of its decision on July 16. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma had announced closure or spinoff plans for Compulsion Games, Double Fine Productions, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs shortly before. Unions described their reaction to those decisions as shock turning to anger and called them incoherent.
The buyer search began in the summer after Microsoft informed the studio. The deadline arrives as the consultation and negotiation period comes to an end. If no buyer emerges, around 217 jobs at Arkane Lyon will be cut. Unions have warned that a closure would be wasteful for people and the business.
Unions have warned that they need a resolution no matter the result. Microsoft said it keeps employee representatives and staff informed while searching for a partner for the next development phase.
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