France’s video-game workers’ union Syndicat des Travailleureuses du Jeu Vidéo (STJV) accused Microsoft of hindering Marvel’s Blade development, alleging that a 19-month hiring freeze at Arkane delayed the game and added costs. STJV published its statement on November 4, 2026, and said work on Blade was going well. The union’s statement also says Microsoft is relying on those alleged delays and costs to justify Arkane’s possible closure.
NeoTeo previously covered reports of further Xbox layoffs planned through January 2027, a separate workforce story from STJV’s allegations about Arkane.
The protections STJV is demanding
STJV wants employees and the union to have input on a potential buyer. Its other requests include:
- A fund matching France’s PSE employment-protection compensation for qualifying economic layoffs by a buyer within 24 months of an acquisition.
- A €200,000 severance payment if Arkane closes.
- Two years of Microsoft-funded redeployment support.
- Shared resources for training and starting studios, plus a residual bonus.
- Compensation for independent workers’ contract breaches, up to the requested closure payment.
These are union demands, not agreed terms. The fund would apply to qualifying layoffs within the stated post-acquisition period; the €200,000 payment is requested in the event of closure.
STJV wants Blade finished, with protections for workers
STJV says it wants Blade completed and released, and wants Arkane to keep making games beyond it. The union’s support for finishing the game is qualified: it says continuation should not come at any cost to workers.
STJV says a closure could put 217 Arkane employees at risk. It also names contractors, freelancers, technicians and other workers who help the studio operate.
