The highly anticipated action-RPG Black Myth: Wukong was launched on August 20 and has quickly gained traction, achieving sales of 10 million copies within just three days. Developed by Chinese studio Game Science, the game is currently available on PC and PS5, with plans for a future release on Xbox Series S/X. While initial reports attributed the delay on Xbox to technical difficulties, emerging information points to an exclusivity agreement with Sony as the primary reason.
Exclusivity Agreement Reportedly Impeding Xbox Release of Black Myth: Wukong
A Forbes report published Thursday indicates that an exclusivity deal is the reason for Black Myth: Wukong’s absence on the Xbox Series S/X, contradicting earlier claims regarding technical issues. This assertion was backed by a separate report from IGN on Friday, which cited sources familiar with the situation, stating that Game Science had indeed signed an exclusivity agreement with Sony.
This report characterized previous claims of technical issues delaying the Xbox launch as “inaccurate,” highlighting that neither Sony nor Game Science had made public the details of the exclusivity arrangement. Additionally, no technical problems that would impede the game’s launch on Xbox were reported to Microsoft.
Black Myth: Wukong has sold 10 million copies across all platforms.
(Data as of 21:00 Beijing time, August 23, 2024)Thanks to all players worldwide for your support and love.
Have a great gaming weekend!#BlackMythWukong pic.twitter.com/mp3mk9JxrX— Black Myth: Wukong (@BlackMythGame) August 23, 2024
This new information contradicts Game Science’s earlier explanation for the game’s delay on the Xbox Series S/X. The developer had previously stated in the FAQ section of their website that additional time was required for optimization of the game for Microsoft’s platform.
“PC and PS5 users can enjoy the full game starting August 20, 2024. We are currently optimizing the Xbox Series X|S version to meet our quality standards, which is why it won’t release simultaneously with the other platforms,” the developer had explained. “We apologize for the delay and strive to minimize the wait for Xbox users. We will announce the release date as soon as it meets our quality standards.”
So far, neither Sony nor Game Science has confirmed the existence of an exclusivity agreement. The Xbox Series S/X release date for Black Myth: Wukong has yet to be announced.
In a related note, Microsoft hinted at a possible arrangement involving its partners and other platform holders in a statement issued in June. “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 company stated. “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.”
Previously, a report had suggested that technical issues were responsible for delaying Black Myth: Wukong’s release on Xbox. More recent claims from a gaming industry leaker, citing inputs from Xbox insiders, stated that the game was held back due to a “Memory Leak” bug that could lead to crashes and performance problems on the Xbox console. “Due to this issue, the game has not passed Xbox’s bug detection tests and has therefore been indefinitely delayed until they manage to optimize the game for Series X|S,” the leaker mentioned in a post on X Monday.
Currently, Black Myth: Wukong is available on PC (through Steam and the Epic Games Store) and PS5. Game Science has also confirmed that the title has attracted over three million concurrent players across all platforms.
