Xbox Misquote: Phantom Blade Zero Devs Clarify Statement

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

S-GAME Addresses the Uproar

Misinterpretations 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) addressing claims made by an anonymous source.

The studio's statement, posted on Twitter(X), emphasized their commitment to broad game accessibility: "The reported statements don't reflect S-GAME's values or culture. We aim to make our game available to everyone and haven't ruled out any platforms for Phantom Blade Zero. We're dedicated to development and publishing to ensure maximum player reach at launch and beyond."

The initial controversy stemmed from a Chinese news outlet's report quoting an anonymous Phantom Blade Zero developer. Fan translations of this report suggested a lack of interest in the Xbox platform. This sparked articles, including one from Aroged, suggesting weak Xbox demand, especially in Asia. The situation worsened when Gameplay Cassi, a Brazilian outlet, misinterpreted Aroged's report, translating the statement as "nobody needs this platform."

While S-GAME neither confirmed nor denied the anonymous source's authenticity, the underlying sentiment holds some truth. Xbox's Asian market share significantly trails PlayStation and Nintendo. For example, Xbox Series X|S sales in Japan barely reached half a million units in over four years, compared to the PS5's million units sold in 2021 alone. Limited console availability further complicates matters, with Southeast Asia lacking widespread retail support for Xbox in 2021, except for Singapore.

Speculation of an exclusive deal between S-GAME and Sony fueled the flames. While the studio previously acknowledged Sony's development and marketing 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 leaves the possibility open.