Introduction

The ongoing saga of why "Black Myth: Wukong" is still absent from the Xbox consoles continues to heat up this week, nearly four months after its initial launch. Developer Game Science seems to be at odds with Microsoft’s narratives once again, following director Feng Ji’s new statements regarding the Xbox Series S's capabilities.

Concerns from Game Science

In a recent post on Weibo, Feng Ji expressed his concerns about the limitations of the Xbox Series S, stating that its shared memory constraints make it “impossible” to optimize "Wukong" without years of extensive refinement. This comment has reignited discussions that had been simmering since the game’s launch, during which it saw tremendous success on platforms like PC and PS5. "Wukong" is notably the second-most concurrently played game on Steam, which further elevates the stakes for Xbox players eager for a version.

Previous Updates from Game Science

Game Science initially noted back in August that they needed more time to ensure that "Wukong" would meet quality standards for Xbox Series X/S. In a statement, they explained, "We are currently optimizing the Xbox Series X|S version to meet our quality standards. We apologize for the delay and aim to minimize the wait for Xbox users. We will announce the release date as soon as it meets our quality standards."

Speculations Around Exclusivity and Delays

However, behind the scenes, reports indicated that the delay might not strictly relate to technical optimization challenges linked to Xbox hardware. Sources, later corroborated by publications like IGN and WindowsCentral, suggested that an exclusivity deal might be complicating matters. Microsoft previously stated, "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. The delay is not due to Xbox platform limitations."

Phil Spencer's Involvement

In a fascinating exchange between Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, and Game File’s Stephen Totilo, Spencer’s cryptic responses only added fuel to the fire. When asked directly about the game making its way to Xbox, he acknowledged that he was aware of the situation but couldn’t announce any specifics.

Feng Ji's Controversial Comments

Feng Ji’s recent comments have stirred controversy once again, suggesting that the 10GB shared memory of the Series S is a significant barrier. This contradicts Microsoft’s earlier statements that dismissed hardware limitations as the cause of the delays. As speculations rise over whether a potential exclusivity deal could be affecting "Wukong’s" launch on Xbox, one thing remains clear: fans are not happy about the lack of clarity and the seemingly endless back-and-forth between parties involved.

The Uncertain Future for Xbox Gamers

While there has been no official comment from Game Science or Sony concerning any exclusivity deal, reports suggest that Microsoft believes it exists. This ambiguity is troubling, particularly as Xbox fans are left yearning for what has been heralded as one of the biggest games of 2024.

Conclusion

As of now, there's little clarity on whether "Wukong" will eventually make its way to Xbox platforms. Industry insiders suspect that if an exclusivity deal does exist, it may soon expire, potentially paving the way for eventual Xbox release—but the technical optimization issues might linger on.

As we await further comments from Microsoft, this unresolved tension continues to frustrate gamers and raise questions about corporate partnerships in the gaming industry. Stay tuned for updates as we unravel this complicated narrative, hopefully shedding light on what has become one of the most talked-about game releases of the year.