Ubisoft is reportedly among the bidders trying to buy Arkane Studios from Microsoft, according to a new report that could reshape part of Microsoft’s gaming portfolio. The French publisher and at least two other unnamed companies have submitted bids for the studio, which is best known for the Dishonored series and the upcoming Marvel’s Blade. Microsoft has not confirmed the report, and no deal has been announced.
What the report actually says
The core of the report is straightforward: Ubisoft has entered a bidding process to acquire Arkane Studios, and it is not alone in doing so. At least two other companies have also submitted bids, though neither has been named. Microsoft has not commented publicly on the reported interest.
Because this is a report of bidding activity rather than a completed sale, nothing is finalized. Bids in situations like this are often non-binding expressions of interest, and the process can shift quickly. Studios frequently end up with multiple offers, and the seller weighs financial terms, creative control, and platform commitments before deciding. Treat this as early-stage interest, not a done deal.
Who is Arkane Studios?
Arkane Studios was founded in 1997 in Lyon, France, and built a reputation for immersive, story-driven games that blend first-person action with systemic, player-choice design. Its breakout title came with Dishonored in 2012, followed by sequels, Prey (2017), and the critically acclaimed Deathloop (2021). The studio also developed Redfall, a vampire action game that underperformed commercially and drew mixed reviews.
Its most recent project is Marvel’s Blade, an adaptation of the Marvel vampire hunter, which is scheduled for release in early 2026. Arkane’s work on it has generated significant anticipation among fans of the series.
Arkane became part of Microsoft through a larger corporate chain. The studio was acquired by ZeniMax Media in 2010, and Microsoft then bought ZeniMax and its Bethesda label in a deal that closed in 2021. That move brought Arkane under Microsoft’s Xbox Game Studios umbrella, alongside studios such as Bethesda Game Studios and Tango Gameworks.
The Microsoft gaming context
Why would Microsoft sell one of its studios at all? That question is where the report gets interesting, and it’s worth separating what we know from what is speculative.
Microsoft’s gaming division has been through significant change. The company’s $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, which closed in October 2023, was far larger and more complicated than earlier deals, and it drew regulatory scrutiny worldwide. Since then, Xbox leadership has signaled a shift toward making its games available on more platforms, including PlayStation and Nintendo, rather than keeping them exclusive.
There have also been industry reports about Microsoft reviewing its studio portfolio and considering the future of some studios, though Microsoft has repeatedly stated it remains committed to its first-party games. Based on the details available, there is no confirmation that Arkane is being actively marketed for sale — the report describes a bidding process, which could mean Microsoft is open to offers or that a buyer approached it.
It’s worth flagging that much of this context is speculative or drawn from broader industry reporting, not from anything confirmed about this specific transaction. The only hard fact here is that a bidding process is reportedly underway.
What this means for you
For most Windows players, the practical impact is minimal in the short term. Arkane’s games, including Dishonored, Prey, Deathloop, and Marvel’s Blade, will remain available on Windows PCs and Xbox consoles regardless of who owns the studio.
The more relevant question is whether these games stay on Game Pass and whether new Arkane titles launch on Xbox and PC first. When a studio changes hands, publishing and platform commitments can shift, though publishers often honor existing agreements. If you’re a Game Pass subscriber, keep an eye on whether Arkane titles move in or out of the service.
For fans of specific games, the studio’s creative direction is the bigger concern. Arkane has a distinctive style, and ownership changes sometimes affect that. Historically, though, studios acquired by larger publishers have continued their existing franchises, so there’s no reason to assume Dishonored or Marvel’s Blade would change direction overnight.
What to do and what to watch
Right now, there is nothing to act on. No deal is announced, and Microsoft has not confirmed the report. If you want to follow this, the best approach is to wait for an official statement from Microsoft or Ubisoft before drawing conclusions.
The key things to watch: whether Microsoft confirms it is considering offers, which companies are in the running, and what terms would apply to existing games and Game Pass. Until then, treat this as a report of interest rather than a completed sale.
Source: Neowin
Over to you: If Ubisoft wins the bid for Arkane, would that make you more excited or more worried about the future of Dishonored and Marvel’s Blade?
