Americans Disrespect the French: Arkane Must Find a Buyer by November 13, Otherwise 217 People Will Be Laid Off - Media

The French trade union criticized Microsoft for its treatment of its European employees.

Arkane Lyon, the French studio known for the Dishonored series, must find a buyer by November 13. Otherwise, the studio will be closed, and 217 employees will lose their jobs. This is reported by Le Monde, citing the situation surrounding negotiations about the studio's future.

On November 13, consultations with the Social and Economic Committee (CSE) regarding the proposed closure of Arkane Lyon will officially conclude. Until then, Microsoft must decide on the studio's future.

Union representatives hope to extend the negotiation period to increase the chances of saving the studio and jobs. According to a representative of the Printemps écologique organization, several options for transferring Arkane Lyon to a new owner are already being considered. He also advocates for postponing the deadlines for negotiations on the staff reduction plan and finding a buyer.

At the same time, negotiations are officially scheduled to continue until October 30. Unions do not rule out the possibility of challenging the economic justification for the proposed closure in court. In their opinion, Microsoft's decision contradicts the company's previous statements about the studio's financial situation.

According to a union representative, Microsoft seeks to get rid of Arkane Lyon, despite the studio's healthy condition, to cut costs and increase the profitability of short-term investments. These statements reflect the union's position, and there is no independent confirmation of the financial condition assessments of the studio in the published excerpts.