Beijing- On Wednesday, Chinese state media proudly promoted “Black Myth: Wukong”, a groundbreaking video game based on the Chinese cultural epic “Journey to the West”. This new game has created a sensation both in China and abroad. The game was launched just a day before on Tuesday, and by Wednesday, it had captured the attention of 2.2 million concurrent players on the global gaming platform Steam. The massive success of this game isn’t just about the gameplay—it’s being seen as a major push for Chinese culture on the world stage.
State broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) quickly capitalized on the game’s success, stating that “Black Myth: Wukong” would introduce players worldwide to traditional Chinese culture. CCTV went on to say that the game would force Western players to understand China’s cultural heritage through the Ming dynasty classic “Journey to the West”, which tells the tale of Sun Wukong, the Monkey King.
The broadcaster highlighted that Chinese players have long had to immerse themselves in Western culture through video games, and now it is time for foreign players to experience China’s rich history and traditions.
“Black Myth: Wukong” is deeply rooted in the story of Sun Wukong, a mythological monkey king who gains supernatural abilities by practicing Taoism. He can shapeshift into humans, animals, and even objects. This mythological figure has been a part of Chinese folklore for centuries, and now, thanks to the video game, his story is being shared globally.
According to analysts, this release marks a significant step forward for Chinese game developers. For years, the global video game market has been dominated by Western-developed titles. Now, Chinese developers, like Game Science, the Tencent-backed startup behind “Black Myth: Wukong”, are making their mark.
In an editorial published by state news agency Xinhua on Wednesday, it was noted that the game is a bold entry into the triple-A market—a space typically reserved for high-budget, large-scale Western video games. Xinhua celebrated the game’s launch, stating that with this success, the default language of a major video game is no longer English, but Chinese.
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The game’s popularity in China has been overwhelming. Hashtags related to “Black Myth: Wukong” had garnered 1.7 billion views on the Chinese social media platform Weibo by the time the game launched. The enthusiasm surrounding the game isn’t just limited to gaming circles. Several companies in different sectors, such as Didi, Lenovo Group, and Luckin Coffee, have started incorporating elements from the game into their marketing campaigns, hoping to capitalize on its success.
Despite the immense popularity of the game, there hasn’t been a significant movement in gaming stocks as of Wednesday. In fact, some stocks connected to the game’s development have seen slight decreases after a surge in the weeks leading up to the launch. This minor decline in gaming stocks, however, hasn’t dampened the excitement surrounding “Black Myth: Wukong”.
Game Science spent years working on “Black Myth: Wukong”, with immense investments in its production. It’s being hailed as China’s first true triple-A video game, meaning it was developed with high costs, long production timelines, and vast resources. Unlike many Chinese video games that rely on mobile platforms and microtransactions, “Black Myth: Wukong” is a premium game.
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It requires a one-time purchase rather than a series of in-game payments. The standard version of the game is priced at 268 yuan ($37.58), while the premium edition is 328 yuan.
By Tuesday, the game’s pre-sales had already reached an astounding 400 million yuan, according to Citi. This level of financial success for a Chinese-developed video game is rare, and it has sparked discussions about the future of China’s gaming industry.
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However, while the game’s success is undeniable, some industry insiders have expressed doubts about the long-term profitability of “Black Myth: Wukong’s” business model. Traditionally, Chinese video game companies have relied on mobile games and microtransactions to generate consistent revenue streams.
It remains to be seen whether this new approach, with a one-time purchase model, can sustain long-term profits for Game Science. Still, as the Global Times noted, the most important aspect of this release is that China finally has a triple-A game capable of capturing global attention.
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Global players are already immersing themselves in the world of “Black Myth: Wukong”, a world where traditional Chinese culture takes center stage. Through the game, players are introduced to Taoist philosophy and the rich tapestry of Chinese mythology. While the game is visually stunning and offers challenging gameplay, its cultural significance cannot be overstated. “Black Myth: Wukong” is not just a game; it’s a vehicle for cultural exchange.
It’s clear that the game’s influence extends far beyond entertainment. By incorporating traditional Chinese elements into the gameplay, “Black Myth: Wukong” is introducing millions of players to China’s rich heritage, even if they don’t realize it at first. The game’s success has sparked conversations about cultural representation in video games, and it is expected to pave the way for more Chinese-developed games to take on the global market.
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As the game continues to attract global attention, many believe that its success will inspire a new wave of Chinese game development. Already, “Black Myth: Wukong” is proving that Chinese developers can create games that resonate with players on a global scale, while also promoting their own culture. It’s a shift that’s been a long time coming, and for many in China, it’s a sign that their country is finally making its mark on the international gaming stage.
“Black Myth: Wukong” is more than just a successful video game launch—it’s a cultural phenomenon. With the support of state media, companies, and gamers alike, this game is shaping the future of Chinese gaming, and by extension, the global gaming industry. It remains to be seen how Western players will respond to this cultural push, but one thing is clear: the world is paying attention to China’s gaming industry like never before.
