S-GAME clarifies controversial ChinaJoy 2024 remarks regarding Xbox. Let's examine the situation and the developer's official response.
S-GAME Addresses the Uproar
Misinterpretations of ChinaJoy Comments Fuel Speculation
Following reports from multiple media outlets covering ChinaJoy 2024, S-GAME, the creators of Phantom Blade Zero and Black Myth: Wukong, issued a statement on Twitter (X). These reports stemmed from comments allegedly made by an anonymous Phantom Blade Zero developer.
The studio's statement on Twitter (X) emphasizes their commitment to broad game accessibility: "These purported statements do not reflect S-GAME's values or corporate culture," the statement declares. "We are dedicated to making our game available to everyone 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 of an anonymous source (claiming to be a developer) stating, in essence, a lack of Xbox interest. This was amplified by outlets like Aroged, and further misconstrued by Gameplay Cassi as a dismissal of the entire platform.
While S-GAME neither confirms nor denies the anonymous source's authenticity, the underlying sentiment holds some truth. Xbox's market share in Asia significantly trails PlayStation and Nintendo. Sales figures in Japan, for example, highlight this disparity.
The limited availability of Xbox in many Asian markets also contributes to the perception. In 2021, Southeast Asia largely lacked retail Xbox support, hindering accessibility.
Further fueling the controversy was speculation about an exclusive deal with Sony. While S-GAME previously acknowledged Sony's development and marketing support (in a June 8 interview), they've denied exclusive partnership rumors. Their Summer 2024 update confirmed plans for PC and PlayStation 5 releases.
Although an Xbox release remains unconfirmed, S-GAME's response leaves the door open to future possibilities.
