Microsoft has hinted at the possibility of Xbox exclusivity for Arkane Lyon’s recently announced third person action game, Marvel’s Blade.
Aaron Greenberg, Vice President of Xbox Games Marketing at Microsoft, recently changed his Twitter/X profile picture (via) to promotional artwork for Marvel’s Blade that hinted at the title’s Xbox exclusivity. In the picture, the protagonist, Blade, is seen wearing a pair of sunglasses with the Xbox logo visible on them, implying that the game will be associated with the Xbox brand, possibly as a console exclusive. The profile picture in question can be seen below.
However, oddly enough, Greenberg later replaced the updated profile picture with his own photo shortly after making the change for unknown reasons. This may not necessarily mean anything, however, as Arkane Lyon is a part of Microsoft’s gaming division, and the decision to launch it as a console exclusive or a multiplatform title ultimate rests with the software giant.
There is one variable in this equation, however, and that is Marvel. Depending on what sort of arrangement was made between the two entities, Marvel’s Blade may or may not be an Xbox console exclusive. Greenberg’s momentary confidence seems to suggest that Xbox exclusivity for Marvel’s Blade is perhaps still being negotiated. Only time will tell where the game ends up launching, though it is a bit odd that no platforms were announced at The Game Awards 2023.
For the uninitiated, Blade, whose real name is Eric Cross Brooks, is a fictional character featured in Marvel Comics. Created by Marv Wolfman and Gene Colan, he first appeared in The Tomb of Dracula #10 (July, 1973) as a supporting character before becoming the central figure in his own storylines. Blade is committed to eradicating vampires from the world, leveraging his unique physiology as the ideal vampire hunter.
Marvel’s Blade is said to be played from a third-person action game, which is a first for developer Arkane Lyon, which has primarily worked on first-person action titles in the past.