S-Game, the developer of 'Phantom Blade Zero,' announced via its official social media channels today (the 10th) that the game has reached its final stage of development.

Phantom Blade Zero is a martial arts open-world action-adventure game that defines itself as 'Kung Fu Punk.' The story follows a protagonist with limited time to live who is framed for the assassination of their organization's leader, embarking on a journey to uncover the truth and take revenge on the real culprit. The game features high-quality graphics powered by Unreal Engine 5 and a unique 'Kung Fu Punk' action style inspired by Hong Kong martial arts films from the 1970s to the 1990s. After receiving acclaim during its first demonstration at Bilibili World in China two years ago, it gained global attention through media-exclusive demos at SGF and The Game Awards last year, emerging as a highly anticipated Chinese action title poised to follow in the footsteps of Black Myth: Wukong.

Addressing the recent controversy surrounding the use of AI in the gaming industry, S-Game stated, "We will not use AI visual technology that could undermine the original creative intent of our artists." The developer explained that character modeling is based on 3D scans of real people, and that the Chinese and English voice acting is the result of meticulous refinement by actors and directors.

The studio also emphasized that the various weapons featured in the game were referenced from traditional Chinese weaponry, with some physically crafted by artisans. Over 20 martial artists participated in motion capture for these weapons, with experts such as sword masters from Mount Emei and lion dance masters from the Guangdong region contributing to the project. The team also noted that they visited various locations across China, including shrines in Fujian, ancient cities in Zhejiang, and old steel mills in Beijing, to serve as references for the game's environments. Furthermore, they explained that the maps, designed with an Eastern aesthetic, were based on original paintings created by artists specializing in traditional Chinese painting from the Central Academy of Fine Arts.

"We believe that human artistry is not merely a means to create value, but that artistry itself is the value," S-Game stated. "We decided to create a game that we can all take deep pride in, and in a few months, you will all be able to experience that difference in Phantom Blade Zero."

Phantom Blade Zero is scheduled for release on PC and PS5 on September 9.