Phantom Blade Zero Devs Clarify "Nobody Needs Xbox" Statement

S-GAME Clarifies Misquoted Comments Regarding Xbox and Phantom Blade Zero

S-GAME, the studio behind the highly anticipated Phantom Blade Zero and Black Myth: Wukong, has addressed a recent controversy sparked by misinterpretations of comments attributed to an anonymous source at ChinaJoy 2024. Several media outlets reported on statements allegedly made by a Phantom Blade Zero developer that were perceived as negative towards the Xbox platform.

The ensuing media frenzy saw varying translations and interpretations of the original comment, with some outlets reporting a statement along the lines of "no one shows any interest in Xbox" while others, like Gameplay Cassi, misconstrued this as a more aggressive "nobody needs this platform."

S-GAME's official response, issued on Twitter (X), strongly refuted the notion that these comments reflect the company's stance. The statement emphasizes S-GAME's dedication to broad accessibility for Phantom Blade Zero, explicitly stating that no platforms have been excluded from consideration. The company is actively pursuing both development and publishing strategies to maximize the game's reach.

While S-GAME did not directly confirm or deny the authenticity of the anonymous source's comments, the context provides some understanding. Xbox's market share in Asia significantly trails behind PlayStation and Nintendo, with sales figures highlighting a considerable disparity. Furthermore, distribution challenges in several Asian countries have hampered Xbox's accessibility.

Speculation regarding an exclusive partnership with Sony, fueled by previous comments acknowledging Sony's support for the game's development and marketing, has also been addressed. S-GAME has denied any exclusive deal, reiterating their intention to release Phantom Blade Zero on PC alongside PlayStation 5.

Although an Xbox release remains unconfirmed, S-GAME's official response leaves the possibility open, suggesting that the controversy ultimately stemmed from miscommunication and misinterpretations rather than a definitive statement on platform exclusivity.