Phantom Blade Zero Devs Clarify Xbox Comments

S-GAME Addresses ChinaJoy 2024 Controversy Surrounding Phantom Blade Zero

S-GAME, the studio behind Phantom Blade Zero and Black Myth: Wukong, has issued a statement clarifying remarks attributed to an anonymous source at ChinaJoy 2024. The controversy stemmed from reports alleging a Phantom Blade Zero developer made negative comments about Xbox.

Misquoted Comments Spark Uproar

Multiple media outlets reported on statements allegedly made by an anonymous developer at ChinaJoy 2024, suggesting a lack of interest in the Xbox platform. These reports varied, with some translating the original Chinese statement as expressing low demand for Xbox in Asia, while others misinterpreted it as a more dismissive "nobody needs Xbox."

S-GAME's official Twitter(X) response firmly rejected these interpretations: "These claimed statements do not represent S-GAME’s values or culture," the statement reads. "We believe in making our game accessible to everyone and have not ruled out any platforms for Phantom Blade Zero. We are hard at work on both the development and publishing fronts to ensure that as many players as possible can enjoy our game at release and in the future."

The initial report, originating from a Chinese news outlet, quoted an anonymous source claiming low Xbox interest. This sparked considerable debate, amplified by outlets like Aroged and Gameplay Cassi, with the latter's translation further fueling the controversy.

While S-GAME didn't confirm or deny the anonymous source's authenticity, the statement acknowledged the limited Xbox presence in Asia. Sales figures in Japan, for example, illustrate Xbox's significantly smaller market share compared to PlayStation and Nintendo. Furthermore, the limited retail availability of Xbox in many Asian countries contributes to this disparity.

Speculation regarding an exclusive deal with Sony intensified following the controversy. While S-GAME previously confirmed receiving development and marketing support from Sony, they have explicitly denied any exclusive partnership. Their Summer 2024 Developer Update emphasized plans for a PC release alongside the PlayStation 5 version.

Although an Xbox release remains unconfirmed, S-GAME's response leaves the possibility open, suggesting a commitment to reaching the broadest possible audience.