Game Science, the developer of the acclaimed action RPG Black Myth: Wukong, has cited optimization challenges with the less powerful Xbox Series S as the primary reason for the game’s absence on current-gen Xbox consoles.
CEO Feng Ji expressed his concerns on Weibo, highlighting the difficulties in optimizing Black Myth: Wukong for the Xbox Series S, which has only 10GB of shared memory. This limitation significantly impacts the game’s performance and feasibility on the platform. “The 10GB of shared memory is impossible to manage without several years of optimization experience,” Ji remarked, underscoring the technical bottlenecks that have hindered the game’s development for Xbox.
The Director of Black Myth Wukong confirmed today the game isn't on Xbox due to the Xbox Series S shared 10 GB of RAM.
There was a never a PlayStation exclusivity deal contrary to the multiple "insiders" & reports that claimed there was. pic.twitter.com/aHawI6lozb
— MBG (@xMBGx) January 1, 2025Conflicting reports regarding Game Science’s commitments further complicate the game’s release narrative. While a report in August 2024 suggested an exclusivity deal with Sony, official statements from Game Science denied such agreements, stating the need for more time to optimize the game for Xbox Series S/X. “We are currently optimizing the Xbox Series X|S version to meet our quality standards,” the developer explained on their website, indicating a commitment to quality over speed in their development process.
The boss of Black Myth: Wukong developer Game Science has pointed the finger at the Xbox Series S over the lack of an Xbox version of the game. https://t.co/vE4ADKZwsw pic.twitter.com/EmS9D6ErSW
— IGN (@IGN) January 2, 2025Microsoft’s policy requiring feature parity between its consoles has also contributed to the delay. Similar challenges were noted with the launch of Baldur’s Gate 3, which arrived on Xbox without its split-screen co-op feature on Series S due to technical limitations. This policy ensures a consistent experience across its devices but poses unique challenges for developers with technologically diverse hardware.
The mixed messages from various stakeholders, including Microsoft’s non-disclosure of potential deals with other platform holders, have left Xbox players uncertain. Microsoft’s statement in June 2024 implied ongoing efforts to bring Black Myth: Wukong to Xbox platforms, emphasizing their focus on enhancing the gaming experience for their users.
