TheBadGamer

Phantom Blade Zero developer S-GAME has officially distanced itself from recent anti-Xbox comments attributed to one of its staff members. The studio also suggested that an Xbox port of their highly anticipated action RPG might still be a possibility. Controversial Comments at ChinaJoy 2024 The controversy began with an August 3 report from Brazilian website GamePlaysCassi, which claimed that a developer from S-GAME said "nobody needs" Xbox during the ChinaJoy 2024 expo in late July. The remarks were allegedly made in response to a question about why Phantom Blade Zero was skipping Xbox. According to the report, the developer stated that Microsoft's consoles are not popular in Asia and that developing for the latest generation is complicated due to the existence of two distinct Xbox consoles. These comments quickly went viral, causing a stir within the Xbox community. S-GAME’s Official Response In response to the backlash, S-GAME issued an official statement on August 4, distancing itself from the controversial remarks. While the studio did not completely deny that someone from their team might have made the comments at ChinaJoy 2024, it emphasized that these views do not reflect the company’s values or culture. S-GAME reiterated its commitment to making Phantom Blade Zero as accessible as possible and did not rule out the possibility of future ports, including for Xbox. Commitment to Accessibility S-GAME’s statement aligns with its previous communications, indicating that there is no exclusivity deal with Sony despite Phantom Blade Zero being a PS5 console exclusive at launch. The game will also be available on PC from day one. The studio’s focus remains on broad accessibility, suggesting that an Xbox version could be in the cards if there is enough demand and feasibility. Upcoming Demo at Gamescom 2024 https://twitter.com/pbzero_official/status/1820217285543600590?ref_srctwsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1820217285543600590%7Ctwgr%5E81092168b5e24f88eaf90b27b364013593672641%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_urlhttps%3A%2F%2Fgamerant.com%2Fphantom-blade-zero-xbox-comments-controversy-denial-gamescom%2F Fans eagerly awaiting Phantom Blade Zero will have the opportunity to experience the game firsthand at Gamescom 2024, which runs from August 21 to 25. S-GAME has confirmed that a playable demo of the game will be available at the event. This step indicates that the game's marketing is ramping up, and a 2025 release seems increasingly likely. Industry Perspectives on Xbox Development While S-GAME aims to stay neutral in the ongoing debates about supporting Xbox, not all developers share this stance. Recently, Remedy Entertainment highlighted the challenges posed by the Xbox Series S, pointing to its hardware limitations as a significant factor that developers must consider from the beginning of a project. Final Thoughts The recent controversy surrounding Phantom Blade Zero and its potential Xbox port highlights the complexities and challenges developers face in the modern gaming landscape. S-GAME’s commitment to accessibility and its open stance on future Xbox development is promising for fans. As the gaming community looks forward to the game's demo at Gamescom 2024, the anticipation for Phantom Blade Zero continues to build, setting the stage for what could be a significant release in 2025. Also Read:

Hi, I'm TheBadGamer

S-GAME

Phantom Blade Zero Studio Denies Anti-Xbox Comments