Phantom Blade Zero Devs Respond to \"Nobody Needs Xbox\" Misquote

S-GAME Clarifies Controversial "Nobody Needs Xbox" Statement Regarding Phantom Blade Zero

Following reports stemming from ChinaJoy 2024, S-GAME, the developer behind Phantom Blade Zero and Black Myth: Wukong, has addressed a controversial statement attributed to an anonymous source. Several media outlets initially reported that a Phantom Blade Zero developer had made disparaging remarks about the Xbox platform.

The initial reports, fueled by translations of a statement from a Chinese news outlet, varied in interpretation. Some suggested a lack of Xbox interest in Asia, while others, like Gameplay Cassi, misinterpreted the statement as a claim that the platform was unnecessary.

S-GAME's official Twitter(X) response refutes the notion that these statements reflect the company's views. 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 player reach.

While S-GAME neither confirms nor denies the anonymous source's authenticity, the underlying concerns about Xbox's market share in Asia hold some weight. Sales figures in regions like Japan highlight the platform's significantly lower popularity compared to PlayStation and Nintendo. Furthermore, limited retail availability in many Asian countries has historically hampered Xbox's growth.

Speculation regarding an exclusive deal with Sony has also fueled the controversy. Although S-GAME previously acknowledged Sony's support for development and marketing, they have denied any exclusive partnership. Their Summer 2024 Developer Update confirmed plans for PC and PlayStation 5 releases.

Despite the lack of explicit confirmation for an Xbox release, S-GAME's statement leaves the possibility open, suggesting that the platform remains under consideration.