Ubisoft are reportedly tapped as one potential company that could acquire Arkane, though the Dishonored studio's own management may be in the running too

Bloomberg reports that Ubisoft has made a bid to acquire Arkane Studios from Microsoft, joining at least two other unnamed gaming companies in pursuing the purchase. Arkane's own management also represents a potential buyer, according to sources cited by Bloomberg.

Xbox has not formalized a deal with any bidder. An Xbox spokesperson told Bloomberg the company is exploring options ahead of a December deadline driven by French labour laws. Companies with over 1,000 staff members must search for a buyer for three months before shutdown, making December 13th the final date for a deal.

Ubisoft declined to comment. The sale is part of broader Microsoft cuts that include the closure or sale of studios like Double Fine, Undead Labs, Compulsion Games, and Ninja Theory, along with layoffs across Xbox staff in July, September, and additional cuts planned for this month and January.

Arkane is currently developing a Blade game expected to release within the next couple of years. Bloomberg notes that a sale could allow the studio to complete that project.