Phantom Blade Zero Dev Throws Shade At Xbox Before Studio Issues Statement

Sounds like they didn't like the backlash they got.

Other developers do the same thing, they just don't say the quiet part out loud.

In reality though, they probably don't have much longer to deal with Xbox hardware the way things are going.

@InterceptorAlpha my current game pass ultimate subscription is up at the end of August. Then I'm out lol

@InterceptorAlpha Tbh, I kinda get their point but saying that out loud directly is not the right move to make. Honestly they’re not wrong.

I mean…at this current time, they aren’t wrong.

Before anyone starts in, I DO own a series X, and I’ve bought 31 disc games and seven digital ones in the few months I’ve had it.

That said…unless you NEED Forza, Halo, Starfield, or a few of the other exclusives, or you’re a Gamepass devotee…their statement is sadly not incorrect, just rather more blunt than most devs would allow.

My opinion is also coming from someone who is now the happy owner of Forza Horizon 4/5 Ultimate editions as well as a used disc copy of Horizon 3, btw! I’m genuinely sad I slept on these games just because of my younger self’s hatred of MS!

@dskatter and another thing is that pretty much those games are all on PC as well.

@InterceptorAlpha Yeah sure because MS isn't developing a new Xbox right now

For many of these type of games, they are NOT generally as popular in the west with the BULK of their sales coming from the Asian Markets. So not only will they sell far fewer copies in their strongest market, globally it would seem to be 'pointless' for the amount of work, therefore 'cost' to port and 'support' the Xbox Console.

If it proves popular enough on PC/PS5 in the west, they'll likely want to release on Xbox too but unless they think enough Xbox gamers would 'buy' it to justify the Cost of doing the work to not only get it running on Xbox, but supporting it too.

They didn't say anything that Microsoft itself didn't say for a year and a half out loud, through a megaphone to make sure governments pitied them to let them buy ABK...

Inevitably whatever platform has the lowest install base will be one publishers save money skipping unless they can afford to port easily or expect enough sales.

Playstation is THE cool brand. Microsoft don't have the stomach for the kinda fight needed to shift that opinion.
Sony win, I guess. But I wonder if ponies truly know what they've won. No competition isn't a good thing. Get ready for high priced games, expensive memberships and hardware prices to make your eyes water. And your only choice is like or don't.

@UBERSICKO At least in the traditional sense. If the rumors are true, (and I really hope that they are) it sounds like they may be going towards a console friendly, windows based gaming PC route. It still plays Xbox games, but you can also log into other store fronts as well, such as Steam, GOG, Ubisoft, EA, etc. If that's the case, games not coming to the Xbox store wouldn't be as big of a problem as it is now. Fingers crossed

@thefly0810 love to be able to use steam 😎 all the metrodvanias not on Xbox or even games that haven't come console yet I could be playing ender magnolia biomorph and biotin rn🤣😭

I have a series s for the bedroom, but I don’t regret trading in the series x last year and getting a pc. Everything is cheaper on pc, performs better if you have the hardware and there’s no subscription fee for multiplayer.

I have a ps5 too, but it hasn’t been used since final fantasy 16 released. This console generation has been pretty underwhelming so far. Sony might be winning the hardware battle, but the software launches from both companies have been disappointing, as has the cadence of new releases.

I’m pretty sure Sony has released more hardware than first party software in the last 12 months.

Wo Long, Phantom Blade, Sekiro, Stellar Blade, Nioh, Wukong, Blue Steel, Ferrari, Le Tigre. It's the same thing, I feel like I'm taking crazy pills.

Even if it comes to Xbox I'd skip it. But I suck at those games so that's probably why I don't care for them.

While having a Series S is handy for me personally, (certainly as I've moved the PC back to my desktop), I would argue that in most cases they're not wrong. Unless you're a GP devotee who heavily relies on the platform or have a decent PC there's little reason outside of those two factors to own an Xbox Series console. The sad thing about that is that outcome is purely down to Microsoft.

That being said, with a decent PC and an aging PS4 at my disposal I didn't need the PS5 either - which is why my daughter now has it. Outside of Nintendo I'm quite indifferent about the future of console gaming.

It doesn't even matter if they said it. The fact that it's completely believable that a developer WOULD say is extremely telling about the state of this sinking ship lol

made a frank comment during the ChinaJoy convention last month - supposedly going ahead and saying "nobody needs this platform" while referring to Xbox

Call me naive for still believing in the Xbox platform/ecosystem, but I would rather prefer developers be honest (like in this case?) than take me for a fool when they take money-hats from a particular platform whilst beating around the proverbial bush with half truths. ..

He spoke the unspoken truth, my g

Is it a souls like game?

If so, the quote is very, very, very, very, accurate for me. There is absolutely no demand from my liking or need.

@armondo36 You can't do that. Xbox is trying to mandate that when you plan to cancel your subscription you have announce date for cancelation, then have delay a year or two before doing so.

You know, just like how they handle the release of their games. Announce the release date, then delay it out another two years.

@UBERSICKO Yeah sure because MS isn't known to over promise and under deliver right no.

Let's be honest, Microsoft has quite the rich history of making a great product, then, not follow thru with it, cancel it, or arrive too late with it.

Microsoft Band, Zune, and Windows Phone, immediately come to mind.

@GuyinPA75

It's not a Souls-Like.

Sad when even game developers are childish little fanboys

@StylesT

Sad when even game developers are childish little fanboys

Too true. Then again how would said developers sell their games to childish little fanboys?. One has to feed the flames to be noticed and trendy 😉.

@Neither_scene "performs better if you have the hardware"

That right there is why I always want to console game. It became too annoying just have to get new graphics card every 6 months, then upgrade more RAM, then new sound card, etc.

Much rather pay the $400 for console, have it for around 8 years, then have pay $300 every month for life. At rate of how things are going, game pass will be $300 a month by next year.

@Mustoe That's great news. Definitely going to start following the game now. See if something I'd play, if makes it to Xbox.

@GuyinPA75

You don't have to buy a new graphics card every 6 months. That is absolutely poppycock drummed up by the console crowd. 😂

@Mustoe Did just say graphics card? No. If wasn't that, it was RAM, or sound card or some other inconvenience. Quit PC gaming in about 97, 98. Got original Xbox on launch. Was pleased immensely. Never looked back. Never.

@GuyinPA75

And you still think it's that decade from the sound of it. 😂

Get lost. I've heard it all before from console warriors. Next you'll be saying PC gaming can only be played at a desk. 🙄

You've never owned a gaming PC and I've zero time for people who outright lie.

@NeutronBomb I don’t think anyway wants Xbox to fail (apart from the absolute hardcore - just as there’s Xbox fans who want Sony to fail)

Competition is needed.

But however games, subscriptions and consoles are still rising, even with competition and that’s with the lowest platform doing exactly what you say will happen.

@GuyinPA75 I get that PC gaming isn’t for everyone and that’s fine, but it isn’t a case of upgrading something every 6 months in order to be able to play a new game.

Yes, if you want to play a new game with everything maxed out and have to have triple digit frame rates at 4k you can spend an ungodly amount of money upgrading your pc.

But if you want to enjoy playing a game at more consistent frame rates and/or higher resolution/graphical settings than the current consoles you can do so with a 2080ti, 16gb of ram and an i5 cpu from 2018.

Consoles have the convenience of plug and play and are a cheaper point of entry. Pc is more expensive but also gives the freedom to upgrade and improve performance at any point in time. Performance on console is static and typically gets worse the longer into a lifecycle you are.

I don’t intend on upgrading anything on the pc I bought for at least another 2-3 years.

@thefly0810 Let's hope that comes true so I can play those libraries om my big TV instead of on a monitor!

@Pusher2021 Fingers & toes are crossed that it becomes a reality

yawn another faux scandal for people to act out over. Oh no, a random dev said something mean. What are y'all, 12?

Expect more and more of this as a result of MS first party games going to Playstation. We knew this would happen. These are the consequences. Console sales will continue to dwindle, and so software sales will dwindle, and the end result is 3rd party support will dwindle. It has only been 7 months, this will snowball as we see more games that weren't deep in development already in Feb 24. Set expectations to play stuff on game pass, and AAA games.

Nobody needs Sony

I wonder if the dev responded not just to the backlash from the article. But is aware of other high profile PS5 exclusive selling rather poorly. So doesn't want to burn other potential avenues of revenue.

This could be translation taken the wrong way as in 'if you don't have a console it is coming to PC'. Though if there is someone against Xbox ecosystem this isn't the first time we've heard this from devs. I recall many and multiple devs at Bethesda livid (posting on Twitter) they 'would not be able to make games for their preferred platform (PS5) and would be forced to make games for the more difficult Series S' when they where bought by Microsoft.

I doubt this game is skipping Xbox, but it will just be very late as always for many of the more exciting 3rd party games these days. It's unfortunate.

Firstly, 30 million people worldwide who've purchased a Series X or S (so far) would argue the platform is needed.

Secondly, 3rd party exclusives should simply NOT be a thing at all. If it's co-funded and/or co-developed by the platform manufacturer, fine, but otherwise as a 3rd party why would you NOT want your game available on as many platforms as possible?

@WhiteRabbit 100%