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| Banner for Phantom Blade Zero State of Play shown |
S-Game's action RPG defies skepticism as pre-order sales "far exceed expectations" following Donnie Yen reveal
In a week that saw Sony's State of Play broadcast flooded with protests over the company's controversial shift away from physical games, Chinese developer S-Game has emerged with unexpectedly strong pre-order numbers for its highly anticipated action RPG, Phantom Blade Zero.
Despite lingering uncertainty about whether the game will receive a physical PS5 disc release, S-Game founder and CEO Liang Qiwei took to Chinese social media platform Bilibili to share encouraging news: just five days after reservations opened, Liang Qiwei's Bilibili update confirmed that "pre-order results have far exceeded expectations."
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| Liang Qiwei of S-Game update on Phantom Blade Zero pre-orders |
Donnie Yen Collaboration Drives Marketing Momentum
Qiwei attributes much of the pre-order success to the late-breaking revelation that martial arts cinema legend Donnie Yen is involved with the project. Yen portrays the boss character Mo Yuan and contributed to choreography for the game's kung fu-inspired combat system. S-Game kept this collaboration under wraps until the very end of the August 11th trailer, creating a significant marketing splash.
The partnership appears to have resonated strongly with the domestic Chinese audience, where anticipation for Phantom Blade Zero is running high. Following the massive success of Black Myth: Wukong, which demonstrated China's capability to produce world-class AAA action games, players have flocked to S-Game's latest project. A reported 20,000 copies of a China-exclusive Collector's Edition sold out within hours of becoming available.
Global Appeal and Steam Chart Success
The enthusiasm isn't limited to China. According to a Push Square report on global wishlists, more than 50% of Steam and PlayStation Store wishlists for Phantom Blade Zero come from gamers outside China. The PC version has already climbed high on Steam's global sales charts, suggesting international appetite for the title remains strong.
S-Game previously noted that interest in Phantom Blade Zero pre-orders was always intended to be international in scope, and these early indicators suggest the strategy is paying off.
Physical Release Uncertainty Remains
However, the status of a physical Phantom Blade Zero release remains unclear. While online retailer Play Asia insists the PS5 version will ship on a Blu-ray disc, other major retailers have yet to stock non-digital SKUs. This ambiguity has frustrated fans who prefer physical ownership, particularly in light of Sony's shifting stance on disc-based media.
Adding to the uncertainty, a PlayStation Store listing appeared to hint at a playable demo, only to be taken offline shortly afterward. Prospective buyers hoping to try before they buy were left disappointed, though the strong pre-order numbers suggest many are willing to commit sight unseen.
Looking Ahead to October 29
With the October 29th release date approaching, all eyes will be on whether S-Game can maintain this momentum. The game represents a significant test case for Chinese-developed action games on the global stage, following in the footsteps of Black Myth: Wukong.
For now, the protests at State of Play—and the broader concerns about physical gaming—appear to have had little impact on Phantom Blade Zero's commercial trajectory. Whether that remains the case as the release date draws nearer will be one of the industry's most closely watched storylines.
Phantom Blade Zero launches on PS5 and PC on October 29, 2026.