Ubisoft Reportedly Interested in Saving Marvel's Blade Game

Ubisoft is reportedly among the potential buyers interested in acquiring Arkane's Marvel's Blade, raising hopes that the troubled project could still reach its release.

Marvel's Blade might have another chance to reach gamers, as new reports say several businesses are interested in buying the next video game. Ubisoft is one potential buyer and is reportedly in talks to acquire the project from Microsoft. The news has sparked optimism that Arkane Studios’ ambitious Marvel game could be saved from cancellation and actually released to players.

The game's future has been in doubt ever since Microsoft decided to close several studios and cancel various projects. However, recent reports suggest Marvel’s Blade was about 60-65% complete when the development situation became problematic. If another publisher or studio can take the project on, there is still a chance to finish the remaining development work instead of throwing away what's already been done.

That interest from Ubisoft is especially interesting, given how the business has struggled in recent years to sustain the release momentum it enjoyed over the last decade.

Ubisoft used to release huge franchises and multiple blockbuster games every year. Its output has slowed dramatically in recent years, and some releases have failed to inspire the same excitement as earlier blockbusters. Nevertheless, the company has proven it can still create amazing experiences. Its latest work, Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, a complete remake of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, has received very positive reviews.

Taking charge of another big project might give Ubisoft a chance to bolster its portfolio while potentially forming a new connection with Marvel. Buying Marvel's Blade would give Ubisoft more than just another game to add to its publishing roster. Releasing a finished product that was in danger of being abandoned could also boost the company’s reputation among gamers.

Blade may not be a blockbuster, but finishing it would reflect Ubisoft’s desire to see an ambitious game through, rather than writing off development efforts. The proposed acquisition might also open the door for a closer partnership between Ubisoft and Marvel. The two corporations have been linked before in talks about future game collaborations, but such negotiations never resulted in an announced release.

Strangely, rumors also suggested Ubisoft was developing a Blade video game before Arkane’s involvement was formally revealed.

Even with the possibility of Ubisoft acquiring the project, many critical facts remain unclear. The studio has not officially confirmed that it has locked up the rights to Marvel’s Blade, or that work will proceed with a new publisher. The next several months may consequently be extremely significant to whether the game survives.

There is also talk that, if a deal is reached, an announcement or development update could come during The Game Awards. That said, there’s no confirmation on a potential reveal or release window.

Gameplay is another essential part of the game's development. Blade is a character whose sword fighting, superhuman powers, and hand-to-hand combat could translate well to a third-person action-adventure. A first-person approach might create a distinct experience, but it could make it harder to reproduce the character’s iconic fighting style.

For now, supporters will have to wait for more updates on the purported acquisition talks. Ubisoft may be giving Arkane’s Marvel’s Blade the second chance it deserves, with the project supposedly already well above the halfway mark of production.