Amidst mounting fears of Xbox closures, Todd Howard says Arkane is 'doing a really, really good job' on Blade

Xbox Studio Closures Spark Concern, But Todd Howard Praises Arkane's Blade Work

Amidst mounting fears of Xbox studio closures, Todd Howard has reassured fans that Arkane is "doing a really, really good job" on its upcoming Blade project. This comes at a time of uncertainty for Xbox, as reports of potential studio closures have raised concerns about the future of several Microsoft-owned studios, including Arkane Lyon.

Arkane Lyon, which announced Marvel's Blade at the 2023 Game Awards, has remained largely silent since then. The studio was notably absent from this month's Xbox Games Showcase, and news of potential closures has only intensified speculation that Blade might be on the back burner. However, Howard's recent comments offer a glimmer of hope for the project’s future.

Howard Shares Positive Update on Blade Development

In a recent Entertainment Weekly report (via Polygon), Howard confirmed that Blade is still in development. He shared his positive impressions of the project after reviewing some of the latest work from Arkane in May.

"I'm not at liberty to say when [we'll see more]," Howard said, "but I saw some stuff just yesterday [on May 21] and the folks at Arkane are doing a really, really great job."

This statement aligns with a recent message from an Arkane artist, who asked the media to "let the studio cook" and focus on the development of Blade. These two pieces of news together suggest that Arkane is still actively working on the project, despite the broader uncertainty surrounding Xbox.

Microsoft's Mixed Signals on Studio Futures

However, Howard's reassurance doesn't entirely quell concerns about the future of Arkane. Microsoft's recent actions have been anything but clear. For example, the company announced a new Ninja Theory game at the Xbox Games Showcase while reportedly planning to shut down the studio.

The reasoning behind this move reportedly involves making the studio more attractive to potential investors or buyers. Yet, given Microsoft's history of closing studios, including the shuttering of Arkane's Austin studio in 2024, this strategy appears more self-serving than altruistic.

As the situation unfolds, fans of Blade and Arkane will be watching closely. While Howard's words are encouraging, the long-term fate of the studio remains uncertain.