Xbox Misquote Sparks Phantom Blade Zero Dev Response

S-GAME Addresses "Nobody Needs Xbox" Controversy Surrounding Phantom Blade Zero

S-GAME, the studio behind the anticipated titles Phantom Blade Zero and Black Myth: Wukong, has issued a statement clarifying recent reports stemming from ChinaJoy 2024. The controversy ignited after an anonymous source, purportedly a Phantom Blade Zero developer, made comments interpreted negatively towards Xbox.

Several media outlets, including Aroged and Gameplay Cassi, reported on these comments, with varying translations leading to escalating speculation. While some reports suggested a lack of Asian market demand for Xbox, others misinterpreted the statement as a direct dismissal of the platform.

S-GAME's official Twitter(X) response directly refutes the notion that these views represent the company's stance. The statement emphasizes S-GAME's commitment to broad accessibility, explicitly stating that no platforms have been excluded for Phantom Blade Zero. They are actively pursuing development and publishing strategies to maximize player reach.

While S-GAME didn't directly address the anonymous source's credibility, the underlying concerns about Xbox's market share in Asia are undeniable. Sales figures in regions like Japan highlight a significant disparity compared to PlayStation and Nintendo. Furthermore, limited retail availability in certain Southeast Asian countries further complicates Xbox's presence.

Rumors of an exclusive deal with Sony, fueled by previous acknowledgements of Sony's development and marketing support, have also been addressed and denied by S-GAME. Their Summer 2024 Developer Update confirmed PC and PlayStation 5 releases, leaving the Xbox release possibility open for future consideration.

Although an Xbox release remains unconfirmed, S-GAME's response leaves the door ajar, suggesting that the platform isn't definitively ruled out for Phantom Blade Zero.