Update (Wed 4th Sep, 2024 07:05 BST):
Forbes has received a new statement from a Microsoft representative, which reiterates the delay of Black Myth: Wukong on Xbox "is not due to technical issues". According to Forbes senior contributor Paul Tassi, this once again "points to outside platform/developer deals":
Microsoft representative: "As we have said before, we’re excited for the launch of Black Myth Wukong on Xbox Series X|S and are working with Game Science to bring the game to our platforms. We'd prefer not to comment on the deals made by our partners with other platform holders but we can confirm that the delay is not due to Xbox platform limitations that have been raised to us."
Tassi claims a possible "exclusivity deal" with PlayStation may not include "traditional marketing" or "traditional payment, making the situation uniquely strange".
Original article (Fri 30th Aug, 2024 06:30 BST):
Black Myth: Wukong has quickly become one of the biggest video game releases of 2024, but the major talking point on the Xbox front has been its delay, followed by rumours claiming the Series X and S versions could have some technical issues.
Now, in another development, it's claimed the real reason for the delay of this action-RPG on Xbox is tied to a "secret exclusivity deal" the Chinese developer Game Science could have with Sony. This information comes from Forbes and IGN, with Windows Central also corroborating these reports.
IGN understands that no tech issue that would delay Black Myth: Wukong has been reported to Xbox. Rather, the Xbox delay is the result of an exclusivity deal neither Game Science nor Sony have publicized, the source said. The source described the rumors of tech issues on Xbox as "inaccurate."
Claims of Black Myth: Wukong having a possible PlayStation console exclusivity deal date back to June.
So, there you have it - if these reports are accurate, it could all be tied to some sort of timed-exclusivity deal with Sony. It wouldn't be the first time PlayStation has locked in games like this for a certain window of time.