Phantom Blade Zero Devs Address "Nobody Needs Xbox" Controversy

S-GAME clarifies controversial ChinaJoy 2024 comments regarding Xbox. Let's delve into the details of the misunderstanding and the developer's official response.

S-GAME Addresses the Uproar

Misquoted Comments Fuel Xbox Controversy

Following reports from multiple media outlets covering ChinaJoy 2024, S-GAME, the studio behind Phantom Blade Zero and Black Myth: Wukong, released a statement on Twitter(X). These reports stemmed from comments attributed to an anonymous source claiming to be a Phantom Blade Zero developer.

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

The initial controversy stemmed from a Chinese news outlet's report of an anonymous source claiming low Xbox interest. This was subsequently interpreted by outlets like Aroged as a lack of market demand for Xbox in Asia. The situation worsened when Gameplay Cassi, a Brazilian outlet, misrepresented the statement as "nobody needs this platform."

S-GAME's response neither confirms nor denies the anonymous source's authenticity. However, the underlying sentiment reflects a reality: Xbox's market share in Asia significantly trails PlayStation and Nintendo. Sales figures illustrate this disparity, particularly in Japan.

Furthermore, Xbox's retail presence in many Asian countries remains limited, impacting availability and distribution.

The controversy further fueled speculation of an exclusive deal with Sony. While S-GAME acknowledged past Sony support, they've firmly denied any exclusive partnership. Their Summer 2024 Developer Update reiterated plans for PC and PlayStation 5 releases.

Despite the lack of explicit confirmation regarding an Xbox release, S-GAME's statement leaves the possibility open.