China’s gaming industry hits new heights

A new Chinese video game, Black Myth: Wukong, has taken the gaming world by storm, selling over 10 million copies within just three days and setting a new record for the most successful game to come out of China.

As of 2023, China’s gaming industry is valued at approximately $40 billion, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Developed by Game Science (GS), Black Myth: Wukong has already earned an estimated $800-900 million in revenue and is expected to showcase Chinese culture to a global audience. The game, considered China's first AAA title, was developed with a reported budget of around $70 million over six years. AAA games are known for their high production values and extensive marketing.   Despite its impressive success, the game has faced criticism.

There have been concerns about past allegations of sexism at Game Science and a controversial list of guidelines provided by the developer for influencers and streamers promoting the game.

These guidelines prohibit the use of terms such as "quarantine," "isolation," or "COVID-19," as well as any discussion of "politics," reflecting China's sensitivity to criticism of its COVID-19 policies, which included prolonged restrictions.   Nevertheless, the game’s sales have continued to soar, with 18 million copies sold since its release on August 20.

According to Game World Observer, Black Myth: Wukong's sales performance is comparable to other major releases in recent years, such as The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, both of which also reached 10 million copies sold in three days.  

Black Myth: Wukong is a single-player action game inspired by the 16th-century Chinese novel Journey to the West, which recounts the real-life pilgrimage of Buddhist monk Xuanzang to India.

The game features the Monkey King, Sun Wukong, embarking on an epic quest to recover lost relics. Players assume the role of "The Destined One," an anthropomorphic monkey with extraordinary shape-shifting abilities and combat skills. Its high-quality graphics, stunning visuals, and engaging gameplay have garnered widespread acclaim, with fans actively discussing it on Reddit and streaming it on Twitch.