S-GAME Clarifies Misattributed "No Xbox Need" Comment Regarding Phantom Blade Zero
S-GAME, the studio behind the anticipated titles Phantom Blade Zero and Black Myth: Wukong, has addressed a recent controversy sparked by comments allegedly made by an anonymous source at ChinaJoy 2024. Several media outlets reported on statements attributed to a Phantom Blade Zero developer expressing negative sentiments towards the Xbox platform.
The controversy initially stemmed from a report in a Chinese news outlet, subsequently translated by fans and amplified by international gaming publications. These reports interpreted the anonymous source's comments as indicating a lack of market interest in Xbox, particularly in Asian markets. Some outlets, such as Gameplay Cassi, further misrepresented the original statement.
In a statement released on Twitter (X), S-GAME explicitly refuted the notion that the alleged comments reflect their company's position. They emphasized their commitment to broad accessibility for Phantom Blade Zero, stating that no platform has been excluded from their release plans. The studio is actively pursuing both development and publishing strategies to maximize player reach.
While S-GAME didn't directly address the authenticity of the anonymous source, the statement acknowledged the reality of Xbox's comparatively lower market share in Asia compared to PlayStation and Nintendo. The statement implicitly referenced challenges related to Xbox's availability and distribution in certain Asian regions, impacting market penetration.
Speculation regarding an exclusive deal between S-GAME and Sony, fueled by previous statements acknowledging Sony's support, has also been addressed. S-GAME reiterated their intention to launch Phantom Blade Zero on PC in addition to PlayStation 5, effectively leaving the door open for a future Xbox release, despite not explicitly confirming it. The developer's response ultimately seeks to clarify their position and mitigate the impact of the misattributed comments.
