Xbox Diss Controversy Resolved by Phantom Blade Zero Developers

S-GAME clarifies controversial remarks attributed to a Phantom Blade Zero developer at ChinaJoy 2024. Let's delve into the controversy and S-GAME's official response.

S-GAME Addresses the Uproar

Misinterpretation of Developer Comments Fuels Xbox Debate

Following reports from multiple media outlets covering ChinaJoy 2024, S-GAME, the creators of Phantom Blade Zero and Black Myth: Wukong, released a statement on Twitter(X) addressing allegations stemming from comments made by an anonymous source.

The studio's statement on Twitter(X) emphasizes their commitment to broad game accessibility: "The purported statements do not reflect S-GAME's values or corporate culture," the statement clarifies. "We are dedicated to making our game available to a wide audience and haven't ruled out any platforms for Phantom Blade Zero. We're diligently working on development and publishing to ensure maximum player reach at launch and beyond."

The controversy originated with a Chinese news outlet's report citing an anonymous Phantom Blade Zero developer. Fan translations of this report indicated a lack of interest in the Xbox platform. This sparked widespread reporting, with some outlets like Aroged highlighting Xbox's relatively low market share in Asia. The situation escalated when Brazilian outlet Gameplay Cassi misinterpreted the original statement, further fueling the controversy.

While S-GAME neither confirmed nor denied the anonymous source's authenticity, the underlying concerns are valid. Xbox's market presence in Asia significantly trails behind PlayStation and Nintendo. Sales figures illustrate this disparity, particularly in Japan.

Limited Xbox availability in many Asian countries further complicates the situation. In 2021, for example, Southeast Asia lacked widespread retail support for Xbox, hindering accessibility.

Speculation of an exclusive deal with Sony intensified the controversy. Although S-GAME acknowledged receiving development and marketing support from Sony in a June 8th interview, they've denied any exclusive partnership. Their Summer 2024 Developer Update specifically mentioned plans for a PC release alongside the PlayStation 5 version.

While an Xbox release remains unconfirmed, S-GAME's response keeps the possibility open.