Phantom Blade Zero: a wuxia-inspired action adventure in development

Phantom Blade Zero, an action game inspired by the wuxia genre, is currently in the final stages of development, with a planned launch later this year. Developer S-Game recently issued a statement outlining its stance against the use of generative AI in its development process.

Stance on generative AI

In a statement from S-Game CEO Qiwei Liang, known as "Soulframe," it was emphasized that all content in Phantom Blade Zero has been created entirely by real artists. Liang said: "We are fully aware that a profound technological revolution is taking place around us. However, to this day, every single piece of content in our game has been created by the hands of real artists. We will not use AI visualization technology that could affect our artists' original creative intent."

This policy applies to every aspect of the game, from the character models built from 3D scans of the cast to the voice acting in Chinese and English, with both languages fully lip-synced.

Authentic development

S-Game is making a significant effort to ensure authenticity and attention to detail in its game. The weapons wielded by the protagonist were actually forged by professional swordsmiths before being used in motion capture sessions.

Granular attention to the development environment is also reflected in the locations they chose: "We visited several beautiful places across China, from ancestral halls in Fujian to ancient cities in Zhejiang and even old steel factories in Beijing. We scanned these places and reimagined them in unexpected combinations to build something truly original: the visual identity we created and defined as Kungfupunk."

In addition, the game's maps were hand-drawn with Chinese brushes and rice paper by artists from the Central Academy of Fine Arts.

Current development status

The S-Game team has stressed that it is in the final phase of development, with every available resource being used to push every aspect of the game to the absolute maximum of its capabilities. In this context, Liang said: "We firmly believe that human art is not merely a means of creating value; it is the value itself."

S-Game has not only hired developers to make a game, but also aims to build an exceptional, passionate team that can be proud of the final product.

Developer and future

By taking a stance on generative AI, S-Game is positioning itself as a leader in the debate over technology's role in the games industry. As AI becomes increasingly prominent in many creative workflows, S-Game remains committed to genuine human creativity and craftsmanship. Phantom Blade Zero promises to be a unique experience that is not just a product, but a reflection of the developers' personal investment.

At a time when technology is pushing the boundaries of creativity, S-Game remains true to its beliefs about the essence of art and creation, adding to the excitement surrounding the upcoming release of Phantom Blade Zero.