S-GAME Clarifies Controversial "Nobody Needs Xbox" Statement Regarding Phantom Blade Zero
Following reports from ChinaJoy 2024, S-GAME, the developers behind Phantom Blade Zero and Black Myth: Wukong, 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 Xbox's appeal.
The controversy stemmed from a Chinese news outlet's report, later translated by fans, suggesting a lack of interest in Xbox. This was amplified by some international outlets, with misinterpretations leading to headlines suggesting Xbox was deemed unnecessary. S-GAME's official Twitter(X) statement refutes these interpretations.
The statement emphasizes S-GAME's commitment to broad accessibility for Phantom Blade Zero, explicitly stating that no platforms have been excluded. They are actively working on development and publishing to maximize player reach.
While S-GAME didn't confirm or deny the anonymous source's authenticity, the underlying sentiment regarding Xbox's relatively lower market share in Asia holds some truth. Sales figures in regions like Japan highlight a significant gap between Xbox and competitors like PlayStation and Nintendo. Limited retail availability in certain Asian countries further complicates Xbox's presence.
Speculation regarding an exclusive deal with Sony, fueled by previous mentions of Sony's support, has also been addressed. S-GAME has denied any exclusive partnership, reiterating their plans for a PC release alongside the PlayStation 5 version.
Although an Xbox release remains unconfirmed, S-GAME's response leaves the possibility open, suggesting the initial reports may have been significantly misrepresented or taken out of context.
