Phantom Blade Zero Devs Address Xbox Misattribution

S-GAME clarifies controversial ChinaJoy 2024 statement regarding Xbox. Let's examine the details of the controversy and the developer's official response.

S-GAME Addresses the Uproar

Misinterpretation of Developer Comments Fuels Xbox Controversy

Following reports from multiple media outlets attending ChinaJoy 2024, S-GAME, the creators of Phantom Blade Zero and Black Myth: Wukong, issued a statement on Twitter (X). These reports stemmed from comments allegedly made by an anonymous Phantom Blade Zero developer.

The studio's Twitter (X) statement emphasizes their commitment to broad accessibility: "The purported statements do not reflect S-GAME's values or culture," it reads. "We aim to make our game available to all players and haven't excluded any platforms for Phantom Blade Zero. We are diligently working on development and publishing to ensure maximum player reach at launch and beyond."

The initial controversy originated from a Chinese news outlet quoting an anonymous source, allegedly a Phantom Blade Zero developer, stating a lack of Xbox interest. This was misinterpreted and amplified by various outlets, including Aroged, and further distorted by Gameplay Cassi's translation. While Aroged reported weak Xbox demand in Asia, Gameplay Cassi's "nobody needs this platform" translation significantly escalated the situation.

S-GAME's response neither confirms nor denies the anonymous source's authenticity. However, the underlying claim holds some truth. Xbox's market share in Asia lags considerably behind PlayStation and Nintendo. Sales figures highlight this disparity, with Xbox Series X|S sales in Japan significantly lower than PS5 sales.

Limited Xbox availability across Asia further complicates the situation. In 2021, Southeast Asia lacked widespread retail support, limiting console, game, and accessory distribution.

Speculation of an exclusive deal between S-GAME and Sony fueled the controversy. While S-GAME acknowledged Sony's development and marketing support in a June 8th interview, they've denied exclusive partnership rumors. Their Summer 2024 update confirmed plans for a PC release alongside the PlayStation 5 version.

Despite the lack of explicit Xbox confirmation, S-GAME's response keeps the door open for a potential future release on the platform.