No public evidence settles whether an exclusivity deal caused Black Myth: Wukong’s Xbox delay. Game Science said it needed more time to optimize the Xbox Series X|S version; Forbes later reported an anonymous source’s claim that an exclusivity deal was responsible. Microsoft declined to discuss partner deals and said the delay was not due to Xbox platform limitations. Calling the rumor “reportedly false” goes beyond what those statements establish.
What did Game Science say about the Xbox delay?
In a statement reproduced by Forbes on August 29, 2024, Game Science said it was “currently optimizing the Xbox Series X|S version to meet our quality standards,” so the game would not launch on Xbox at the same time as other platforms. The studio said it would announce a release date once the version met those standards. Forbes’ report also reproduces the statement.
That is the developer’s public explanation. It does not independently establish whether optimization was the only reason for the delay.
Did Microsoft confirm an exclusivity agreement?
No. Microsoft said it was working with Game Science to bring the game to Xbox, but declined to comment on deals its partners made with other platform holders. It also said the delay was not due to Xbox platform limitations, according to the same Forbes report.
Microsoft’s refusal to discuss partner deals is not confirmation that a deal existed. Its statement also does not independently prove Game Science’s optimization explanation; it addresses Xbox platform limitations, not every possible technical or contractual factor.
What did Forbes report about a deal?
Forbes Senior Contributor Paul Tassi reported that a source with specific knowledge said an exclusivity deal, rather than a technical issue, caused the Xbox delay. The source was not named publicly. Forbes said IGN had confirmed the information, but the account cited here does not provide named confirmation or public contract documents.
Forbes said it did not know the deal’s duration and that the deal did not appear permanent. Those are limits on what the report establishes: its anonymous sourcing offers a competing explanation, but the contract’s existence, parties, terms and length have not been established in public primary evidence cited here.
Why did Xbox get the game a year later?
GameSpot reported on June 6, 2025, that the Xbox Series X|S version would arrive on August 20, 2025. The PS5 and PC versions had launched on August 20, 2024, making the reported Xbox date exactly one year later. GameSpot’s report noted that the anniversary timing fueled speculation about timed exclusivity.
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The gap is circumstantial context, not proof of why the Xbox version was delayed. A release date alone cannot distinguish between a contract, development considerations or a combination of factors.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is still unknown?
- Whether an exclusivity agreement existed.
- Which parties, if any, signed one, and what its terms were.
- Whether optimization, an agreement or other factors explain the delay.
The available public statements and reporting support competing explanations, not a definitive verdict that the rumor was either true or false. Game Science’s official Black Myth: Wukong website also refers to physical editions and product information through an authorized third-party sales platform; that does not verify current availability or a specific retailer listing.
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