In a landmark moment for the Chinese gaming industry, Black Myth: Wukong, a mythological action game developed by Game Science, has put China on the global stage of video game development. Released on August 20, the game has not only set records but also marked a significant shift in the global gaming landscape. Within just three days of its launch, Black Myth: Wukong sold over 10 million units. To date, it remains a best-selling game worldwide, particularly on the Steam platform, where it retails for around $60.
This impressive performance comes just a few years after China’s gaming industry faced a severe regulatory crackdown that significantly impacted game development and distribution. Black Myth: Wukong’s success has been seen as a turning point, demonstrating that Chinese developers can create globally competitive AAA games. The game’s achievements have sparked excitement and optimism about the future of Chinese gaming both domestically and internationally.
Black Myth: The Rise of Wukong
Black Myth: Wukong draws inspiration from classic Chinese mythology and follows the journey of the Monkey King, a legendary figure from the ancient Chinese novel “Journey to the West.” Its blend of rich cultural elements with high-end graphics and gameplay has captured the attention of gamers around the world. Its success is particularly noteworthy given the backdrop of recent challenges faced by the Chinese gaming sector.
Dino Ying, president of Hero Games, which published the game in collaboration with its developer Game Science, shared his thoughts on the success of Black Myth: Wukong. Ying, who has been closely involved with the project since its early stages, expressed optimism about the future of Chinese AAA games. In an exclusive interview, he revealed that he believes China’s next big AAA game is not far away, thanks to the unprecedented success of Black Myth: Wukong. Ying mentioned that Hero Games is already aware of another promising project under development, although specific details and timelines have been kept confidential.
The game’s success is not just limited to its sales figures, but also its impact on the broader gaming industry. The overwhelmingly positive reception from players and critics has set a new standard for Chinese game developers, proving they can create content that resonates on a global scale.
Behind the scenes: The development journey
Black Myth: Wukong’s journey has not been without obstacles. Game Science, the developer behind the game, faced many challenges before achieving this success. The studio had previously struggled with failed projects and significant financial investments that did not yield the desired results. However, the company’s perseverance paid off with the release of Black Myth: Wukong.
Ying explained how Hero Games invested heavily in Game Science, including a large financial commitment that was crucial to the development of Black Myth: Wukong. This investment came after a period of uncertainty during which the studio faced setbacks. Despite the challenges faced, the decision to support Game Science was driven by confidence in the studio’s talent and potential.
The involvement of Hero Games and other investors, including a 5% stake purchased by Tencent, was crucial in making Black Myth: Wukong a success. The support of these stakeholders and the studio’s dedication helped overcome obstacles and ensured the game’s successful launch.
The impact of recent regulatory changes
Black Myth: Wukong’s recent success also reflects the changing regulatory environment in China. Over the years, the gaming industry in China faced stringent regulations, including the suspension of approval of new games and restrictions on game time for minors. These regulations had a significant impact on the industry, slowing growth and limiting the market for many games.
However, over the past two years, the regulatory landscape has become more favorable, with approval for new games resuming and a more supportive attitude towards the industry. Black Myth: Wukong received government approval without requiring significant changes to its content, highlighting the improved regulatory environment.
This change is seen as a positive development for the industry, providing Chinese game developers with more opportunities to innovate and compete on a global scale. Black Myth: Wukong’s success is a testament to the potential of the Chinese gaming market and the ability of Chinese developers to create world-class games.
The Future of Chinese Gaming
Looking ahead, Black Myth: Wukong’s success has set a high standard for future Chinese game developers. The game’s performance has demonstrated that there is strong demand globally for high-quality games from China. As a result, there is growing interest in the possibility of other Chinese studios to follow in Game Science’s footsteps.