Phantom Blade Zero Responds to Xbox Controversy

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

S-GAME Addresses the Uproar

Misinterpreted Comments Fuel Xbox Debate

Following reports from multiple media outlets covering ChinaJoy 2024, S-GAME, the creators of Phantom Blade Zero and Black Myth: Wukong, released a statement on Twitter (X). These reports stemmed from comments attributed to an anonymous Phantom Blade Zero developer, sparking significant debate about the game's platform availability.

The studio's official statement on Twitter (X) emphasizes their commitment to broad accessibility: "The alleged statements don't reflect S-GAME's values or culture," the statement clarifies. "We aim to make our game available to everyone and haven't ruled out any platforms for Phantom Blade Zero. We're diligently working on development and publishing to ensure maximum player reach."

The initial controversy originated from a Chinese news source quoting an unnamed developer. Fan translations rendered the comment as "no one shows any interest in Xbox." This sparked further reporting, with sites like Aroged suggesting weak Xbox demand in Asia. However, a misinterpretation by Gameplay Cassi, characterizing the statement as "nobody needs this platform," significantly escalated the situation.

While S-GAME didn't directly address the anonymous source's authenticity, their statement acknowledges a degree of truth to the underlying claim. Xbox's market share in Asia lags significantly behind PlayStation and Nintendo. Sales figures in Japan, for example, highlight this disparity.

Limited Xbox console availability in many Asian markets further complicates the situation. In 2021, for instance, Southeast Asia lacked widespread retail support, hindering console access.

Speculation intensified regarding an exclusive deal with Sony. Although S-GAME previously acknowledged Sony's support (June 8th interview), they've denied exclusive partnership rumors. Their Summer 2024 update confirmed plans for PlayStation 5 and PC releases.

Although an Xbox release remains unconfirmed, S-GAME's response keeps the possibility open.