Microsoft Makes Statement On The Xbox Delay For Black Myth: Wukong

Oh that’s funny. “We cant comment on the deals made by our partners with other platforms” Grrrr. What did they do and why can’t we get it in August 😫😫

"Slimy platform stuff" - Phil was right. Sounds like Sony got an exclusivity deal.

It's that damn Series S complicating things again 🙈

Ah so doesn't seem like an Xbox series s problem after all ....Playstation have payed for times exclusive.....shocked not shocked ....will probably rent it on playstation then depending on reviews and back log

Haha…soooo is it an exclusivity deal or optimization? 🤣

I’m still looking forward to this. In either scenario I’ll scoop when available on Xbox 🤷‍♂️

It sort of feels like XBOX is becoming a second class citizen for 3rd party publishers.

There are many factors for this in my opinion:

• The smaller install base
• A portion of the install base being game pass centric and not buying games
• The work involved in supporting both the S and X
• Microsoft's multi-platform strategy
• Nintendo and Sony having a strong portfolio of exclusives

I have had a series X since day 1 and I still believe it is the best console on the market. However, I haven't had a reason to turn it on in months. Almost everything I would want to do on the series X, I can do better somewhere else.

It is depressing to be honest.

@evan23 ........."becoming"?

@evan23 it’s a bit sad, really. I got my Series X a couple months ago (my first Xbox!) but I’m FAR more invested in my PS5 and Switch. That said, I have bought 23 disc based games for it (most used) and think it’s a nice console. Do I much prefer PS 4/5? Absolutely, but I’m willing to admit MS did a good job on this hardware in general.

Amusingly my Series X’s main function for me right now is as a FF13 trilogy backwards compatible machine. MS gets props from me as being the only console manufacturer that lets games like FF13 and the original Assassin’s Creed run on it. sighs at the old PS3 copies of these games I’ll probably never launch again

@WhiteRabbit you should probably read the Windows Central article. As it does state that both Microsoft & Game Science were contacted. The later declined to comment.

We can't comment on the deals made by our partners with other platform holders

Alright folks, it looks like the required optimisation time frame for the Series S|X will only last as long as the exclusivity deal Sony made with the developer.....however, let's not get too distracted from the Series S bashing 🤦‍♂️😅.

It’s ok Sony not sharing games as much I understand that but I wish they would stop paying for timed exclusives.
It’s getting a bit old nowadays and tired especially with the bigger games. I can understand indie deals to help pay for development.
Sony are always holding back my dream of one console all games.
I would be such fun and devilment to hold COD back for 6 months 🤣

@evan23
Did you not see that Summer Game Showcase??
The ponies tried to say that "Xbox was cutting back on getting games for Xbox Game Pass too"
Then we got a hour and a half showcase that was filled with awesome 1st and 3rd party games all coming to Game Pass.
Xbox is not living that 2nd class life anymore... They are going to continue to show more games in Aug at Gamescom.... PlayStation isn't and hasn't.

After seeing Sonys roadmap and their State of Play... It is pretty clear why they decided to scramble and pay for some games to fill in for the nonexistent 1st party they have had for way too long.

@WhiteRabbit again Games Science was vague on what was causing the optimisation problem. As it could be budget related? They've bitten off more than they could chew being a small team? Lack of experience in optimising for certain hardware etc as Larian Studios admitted the Series S helped make other versions better. But everyone jumped on the narrative that it must be the Series S.

Which you were one I believe?

So When Microsoft hints of exclusivity as a potential cause?. It's obviously it's gonna attract attention considering how secretive other deals like the length of exclusivity of the Final Fantasy 7 remake trilogy will be.

It’s not an exclusivity deal just a wink wink nudge nudge to ensure the PS version gets released earlier than other versions…

Sounds like they're addressing the wrong rumor given the biggest one is because of the Series S holding things back. Again.

@WhiteRabbit yes for Baldur Gate 3 it was the issue as Larian Studios made no secret of it. But Games Science haven't said it was the Series S & have refused to say more about it when asked by Windows Central.

So both sides are speculating at this point.

@WhiteRabbit no it's not. But both Games Science & Microsoft are guilty of being so vague it's allowed both sides to speculate.
You don't even hide the fact that you think it was the Series S to blame. But then your critical of Jez Cordon & Windows Central for jumping on the possibility of timed exclusivity potentially being another reason for the delay. When Sony is natourious for exclusive deals. But it could be a marketing deal that Microsoft was hinting at. But who knows.

@Stoned_Patrol ye they've basically become what Xbox was when they said Xbox had no games kinda ironic ps has no (1st party) games😂 but at least unlike Xbox they sorted some good 3rd party stuff😂 or at elast Igjess they did as I'm xbox but saw Helldivers stellar blade stuff doing well

My conspiracy theory:

Developer wanted to do a bulk game delay to work on Series S optimizations in an effort to keep release date the same across the board but was provided incentive to release on other platforms "on time" and delay only the Xbox version.

It’s very funny.

When insiders make rumours about Xbox, fanboys say don’t believe them.

When it’s something regarding Sony it’s true.

Yet there’s this article -

https://www.purexbox.com/news/2024/06/black-myth-wukong-suffers-delay-but-only-for-xbox-series-xs

So they are just flat out lying now?

Lol isn't this Jez Corden a renowned clown who throws tantrums and backtracks everything he says?

Once again Phil gets bullied and will pump more games on Sony platform with nothing in return for the Xbox… Phil needs to start paying for ip exclusives and make exclusives from movies / superhero’s too

@Widey85 this is a terrible reasoning. Considering that other developers have reported issues with regards to the Microsoft requirement for feature parity between S and X (Baldur's Gate 3 had to get Microsoft to relax this rule just to even release on the platform), it's fair that a studio with no prior experience with console ports might be struggling with this feature. Plus, your faith in this rumour being true is based on Jez Corden, a man with so little journalistic integrity he spends all his time outside of writing articles inciting other Xbox fans based on his "news" (through his social media). Don't make a decision based on the words of a person who's dedicated their career to bring pro-Microsoft.

@cragis0001 it's been very clear in the past when Sony made exclusivity deals, and we've known about them well before their release dates (because there's actually merit to announcing them more than 2 months prior to release). The fact remains this is near-identical to the situation with BG3 last year, which was not an exclusivity deal for Sony (in fact, Larian developed outright claimed that having to develop for Series S was the cause). This exclusivity rumour is nothing more than a childish "journalist" passing their baseless opinion off as fact.

@WhiteRabbit you tell me? as you & many more seem to think that statement means it's the Series S fault. How did you come to that conclusion? Thats my point when I mention speculation.

Like I said before that statement hints of a problem but doesn't explain what's caused it. Which has allowed people to speculate what it is.

So most of us were right, this is all about a time exclusivity deal with PlayStation...shame on the developers for insinuating that it was an Xbox optimization delay.

I’m just going to leave this here:

https://www.purexbox.com/news/2022/08/sony-didnt-pay-to-keep-cult-of-the-lamb-off-xbox-game-pass-says-publisher

Well let’s be positive when released later on series consoles at least we will get all the patches and bugs and performance issues probably gone from the typical day one releases that have them.

I really never understood why people can't just say what the problem is. Like just come out and say "Sony paid for timed exclusivity" if it is the case. What are they gonna do? Sue them?
Judge: "why are we here?"
Sony: "MS said we paid for time exclusivity"
Judge: "did you?"
Sony: "yes".

@WhiteRabbit I know and i believe it does have to do with their own parity clause like baldera gate 3.
I just was meaning why are they saying "we can't talk about the deals are partners make" then in reference to this game? Like if their is a deal in place just say it...what are they gonna do?

PlayStation playing dirty since SEGA Saturn. What’s more annoying is how strong their ‘exclusives’ narrative was installed among their costumers.

I think this is MS trying to deflect that the Series S has slowed down this generation.

It reads like an exclusivity deal, yes, but it could also be a distraction. Like a politician getting up in a campaign and saying "I'm unable to comment on the rumors that my opponent is a satanist cannibal." It's a great way of casting doubt on someone while being accountable for nothing because you said nothing.

Did Sony pay for some exclusivity? Maybe. Buut.....this is also a game close to launch that has not shown console footage on Playstation, either, only PC demos, only PC footage. This feels less like an exclusivity deal and more like a Cyberpunk PS4 deal. "PC designed game runs like a pile of monkey dung on current consoles and not at all on XSS, oops, please preorder, we'll fix it someday for PS5. Maybe maybe not for Xbox."

@FatGuyInLilCoat Confidentiality clauses in contracts. The rest of that exchange is:
Judge: "Did you sign a confidentiality agreement with Game Science regarding business relationships but then publicly stated the agreement?"
MS: "Yes"
Judge: "......"

@WhiteRabbit I never said there statement was speculative 😂😂😂😂 All I've said is that it's vague.
I'm not the one that read a statement & automatically assumes it's the Series S with no facts to back it up 😂😂😂.
All I've been arguing is how did you come to the conclusion that the problem is with the Series S.

The S isn't the problem. Multiple devs have already come out stating modding for the S is not a problem... provided you actually plan to do so. If you don't build knowing the game will need to run on a less powerful version of the X console, then of course it's going to cause delays. Sony didn't offer a low end version so many devs design for the X and PS5 without considering the S. That's a developer issue not a MS issue.

A broader argument could be had over the need for an S console, but considering its popularity, it is unlikely MS will get rid of it. IMO for the next gen, MS should make one version but offer the subsidized console via a GP commitment or additional monthly fee. This would still offer broad appeal and do away with the extra work for devs.

@DarkTron I just re read the article & to be fair Jez thinks it's the Series S as well. He only mentions exclusivity because Microsoft statement brings it up & he heard a rumour while in LA. Most of what he has said has been brought up in this news section to be fair.
If the game was exclusive your correct we'd know about it. But if Sony has made a deal it be for marketing rights.

Some of you guys are hilarious. What exactly do you expect Xbox to say?

Xbox: It's the Series Potato's fault.

Yeah right as if they'd admit that, it's obvious Jez is just running his usual damage control.

Yeah I highly doubt this is an exclusivity deal. The game is announced for Xbox and is still coming. The devs have said it just requires further optimisation (in other words, the Series S) so I'm pretty sure they wouldn't say that if it was because of a deal that was cut.

They would say something much more vague like "For now we are strictly focused on the PS5 version" or something along those lines to make the deal holder, which would be Sony in this case, happy. This has the BG3 situation written all over it as far as I can see.

C'mon guys, let's not fall into this bait talk some people start on the comments.
We all know there are many profiles that follow the same MO: recently created account, start trolling here on PX and bashing Xbox on PS, after some weeks they delete the account and vanish to never return.
People like this just keep proliferating like...white rabbits

@Foxx_64740 Yeah, that's so true. I actually noticed after a friend told me that some people are playing the "double agent" here. I mean it's absolutely fine having both consoles or all consoles, it's a hobby after all. But there are some people coming here showing a polite face to Xbox pretending to be cool and neutral or even trolling and bashing Xbox constantly and next they go to the blue site praising ps and bashing Xbox there. So, if you guys aren't interested on Xbox why do you come to an Xbox news oriented site, spreading fire and hate? Personally I have zero interest on ps and their IPs so I don't read a ps website, or I wouldn't go there writting Xbox is better or whatever.

@kelomaniack spot on there I have both consoles and think both are great but I will criticise both if need be I have no preference I do prefer the fact there isn't fanboyism on this site which Is good in my opinion xbox is killing it at the minute with the upcoming exclusives hopefully they live up to the hype

I don't know what to think, or who to believe.

Timed exclusivity ? I know the concept is considered pretty fair play, nowadays. So I can accept it with no problem.

But the fog around it ? Like when we can never really know about the time frames, or even the possibility of the port (FFVII R)... That's not cool.

And this, if true, is a step in this bad direction. I mean : a lie ? A LIE ? "Optimization", instead of a deal ?

If true, this is a real bad guy move. Like the villains usually do in movies. In bad movies.

If it's a deal, just say it. We're grown up people, grown up players. We can manage. Us Xbox players have learned the hard way to manage, anyway.

@Dan1283 Yeah man, that's a more healthy approach.

I don't think what they said means there was an exclusivity deal. To me it seems like they were asked if there was an exclusivity deal and they replied by saying they can't comment on that.

@WhiteRabbit dont fall for that, the dark side always have cookies.

@Titntin

are you for real? This place is home to the most ardent and agressive fanboys you can find

Come on old timer, surely you must be aware that we can all access and see the comments section on both, PureXbox and PushSquare with Microsoft/Xbox related news and draw our own conclusions about which site has the most ardent and aggressive fanboys one can find😀.

@Sol4ris both sites have similar to be fair.

Yet there are more of the Xbox ‘supporters’ (I use that term loosely) that care what Sony are doing than the other way round.

Constantly brought up, even in topics that have nothing to do with it.

Yet there are more of the Xbox ‘supporters’ (I use that term loosely) that care what Sony are doing than the other way round

I don't know mate. The thing that I always find very odd is the fact that even seemingly positive news like Microsoft branching out with their games on PlayStation, still brings Sony supporters across to PureXbox with the sole reason of antagonising Xbox and its supporters.

And this before we even consider the brand new accounts (oddly) popping up specifically to either troll or just spout nonsense about Xbox's demise etc, etc.
I also agree that there are clearly people were Microsoft or Sony live rent free on most things they post on.

This place is ludicrous. 😂

Well don't let us console peasants keep you, mate😄....

@DreamlandGem

Duly noted and apologies.

@DreamlandGem Sorry! I normally just let it slide past and should have again..

The minimum pc requirements of the game are less than the Xbox series s (at least CPU, GPU wise, RAM not, but I don't think this is so crucial). The developer didn't specifically mention Xbox series S, they had a very abstract optimization excuse. So, I hardly believe they optimized the game for a pc with lower hardware stats than S and not for S. Chinese companies are not so small, some startups start easily with 400 people. Game science has 100-250 people according to internet info and the game was years in development, so they had the time to optimize it. If you sum all this up, logically it smells like a slimmy timed-exclusive to me. Similar thing has happened with Stellar Blade. It was also for Xbox on one trailer and then Sony moneyhatted the game to be exclusive (or timed-exclusive 🤔 perhaps) to PS5.

@Mustoe Never say never. Callisto Protocol a AAAA game founded and helped by Sony in development was said that it's very unlikely to come to Xbox Gamepass. Well, guess what. Look it at the additions of Gamepass this month. Kena, F.I.S.T and many other games, PS timed-exclusives came to Xbox after all. I wouldn't be surprised if Stellar Blade one day all of sudden shown up available for Xbox or the next Switch after two years for example like Kena. I understand the timed-exclusivity, but Sony is the one here playing dirty. Probably a timed-exclusivity deal for Wukong is under the table, since their roadmap first party wise looks very dry. Xbox buys studios and still releases the games everywhere, like DOOM, Diablo, COD. I am not taking anything personally. I just believe these third party deals are bad for gaming since less gamers have access to a game, which means less profits to the developers also, with all the logical consequences for the financial status of a studio. Especially when a game releases to the other platform after 2 years, when the hype is done and most people play the newest games.

@Mustoe Makes sense for first party games. You get all consoles to have access to all the games. Makes zero sense to me for third party studios. Should be available everywhere

@Moby I would disagree and say the S is entirely Microsofts fault. Even if there is nothing at all wrong with the S and dev's simply can't be bothered optimising for it, then its still very much a microsoft problem for insisting on parity and creating that situation in the first place.

Its similar to how the PS3 architecture was very much a Sony problem despite Dev's could adapt to it. But they didn't all adapt, or took their time and that was squarely on Sony as this is on Microsoft.

@kelomaniack The RAM is actually a very large issue, its what caused BG3 issues and with Alan Wake 2, Remedy cited that the Series S has a GPU and RAM issue which does affect them more than it would on PC where its easier to work around memory.

Imo this has nothing to do with money hatting, or being a timed exclusive. It just sounds very much like a deflaction to get fanboys on the defensive whilst defending the brand. The statement says nothing more than we don't want to comment on the rumours you have heard. Where as Game Science have made a definitive statement saying they need more time to optimise the game. So I would take Game Science at their word over rumours

@Ilyn Well, we can never truly know. But also Microsoft's answer was foggy and indirect implying about a deal: "We can't comment on the deals made by our partners with other platform holders, but we remain focused on making Xbox the best platform for gamers, and great games are at the center of that.". It could be timed-exclusive in my opinion but also a development / skill issue of the developer, optimizing the game on a lower Specs hardware as the S. But still instead of the problems remedy had, they managed to deliver one of the best games visually and in graphics also for S day one running smoothly. Another example is Lies of P. The best soulslike game. Really good graphics, day one also on the S running smoothly.

@WhiteRabbit take it you haven't read the article on Windows Central then 😂😂😂😂.

If it was so clear 😂😂😂 Then why have you still not answered how you came to the conclusion it is solely the Series S's fault when Games Science mentioned both Xbox Series X/S.

The statement is vague in the sense that it doesn't state what has caused the problem. It identifies the problem that's all 😂😂😂. But you know that. Your just trolling.

You even say it yourself. That games get released broken so we should be happy for the delay. Again that comes down to many factors 😂😂😂.