Author | Feng Ye

Editor | Li Xiaotian

This may be the first Chinese game to spark such intense discussions overseas. At 10:00 AM Beijing time on August 20, "Black Myth: Wukong" officially launched globally on multiple platforms. However, even before the launch, countless players had already gathered on forums, eagerly awaiting the game's release. On Reddit, an online discussion community, memes featuring monkeys were circulating wildly; on Polygon, a gaming news site, players were sharing tips on "how to quickly understand the original 'Journey to the West'"; and YouTube bloggers released their reactions to the trailer weeks in advance, with some commenting, "I've been waiting since 2020."

"Currently active players on Steam" meme. Source: Reddit

After opening pre-sales and purchase channels, the game's market performance lived up to expectations. Data shows that "Black Myth: Wukong" had over 2 million concurrent players yesterday and topped Steam's global weekly sales chart, with pre-sales alone surpassing 400 million yuan.

As the first Chinese 3A game, "Black Myth: Wukong" has exceeded expectations globally. The Chinese game industry behind it is gradually stepping onto the world stage.

Most people first heard of "Black Myth: Wukong" four years ago. On August 20, 2020, the Game Science team released a 13-minute in-game demo, which immediately garnered immense attention and has since garnered over 57 million views. However, prior to that, Game Science had spent over two years developing the game in secret. According to records, "Black Myth: Wukong" was officially launched in February 2018 and has been in development for six years until its release yesterday. As a notoriously expensive industry, producing a game for six years requires significant investment. Feng Ji, the producer of "Black Myth: Wukong," revealed that the hourly development cost was approximately 15 to 20 million yuan. Based on the average main and side quests of similar games, the total development cost of this project could reach 400 million yuan. In an interview with Xinhua News Agency, Feng Ji expressed concern that the game might not meet expectations after the PV went viral four years ago, stating, "I worry about it every day, and it's been bothering me for at least four years."

However, based on current sales data, "Black Myth: Wukong" may have already recouped its costs, and market feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. According to Metacritic, a global game review website, as of August 19, 54 global media outlets gave the game an average score of 82, putting it on par with AAA games from major studios. The game's visuals and music are truly stunning. The opening music instantly immerses players in the scene, and the chapter animations incorporate numerous traditional elements. Most of the buildings in the game are based on real Chinese traditional architecture, while the monsters' fur is meticulously detailed, and their movements are logical and lifelike, showcasing China's mythical creatures. As the first Chinese 3A game based on the "Journey to the West" IP, "Black Myth: Wukong" has raised the industry standard significantly.

Combat scenes and monster designs from the game. Source: "Black Myth: Wukong"

As of now, the majority of feedback for "Black Myth: Wukong" remains positive.

After the game's launch, independent game developer Zhang Diyang posted six consecutive WeChat Moments, sharing, "I almost cried during the first 20 minutes of gameplay. It's incredible that a domestic game can reach this level. I wonder how much hard work went into creating such a game. Although there are some flaws, such as map design and enemy animations, overall it's excellent, especially considering the relatively small team at Game Science." Experienced overseas 3A gamers also believe that "Black Myth: Wukong" holds its own against titles like "Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice" and "God of War." Reddit users commented, "I played it on PS5, and the opening battle and cutscenes ran smoothly and looked gorgeous. The combat is incredibly addictive; I love it!" "Honestly, I would've played longer if I didn't have to go to work in the morning." Beyond its audiovisual appeal, "Black Myth: Wukong" also embodies the profound cultural connotations of the "Journey to the West" IP. Jason Rodriguez, a professional game reviewer at Polygon, commented, "The story explores themes such as lifelong regrets, sacrifice, and the shaping of an unchangeable fate, as well as how everyone, be it heroes or villains, may merely be seeking redemption or a place in the world... Game Science Studio has successfully accomplished the impossible task of weaving a complex, ingenious, and at times thought-provoking narrative."

After the pandemic-fueled stay-at-home boom subsided, the gaming industry faced challenges. According to Newzoo's recently released "Global Games Market Report 2024," the global games market is expected to generate $187.7 billion in revenue this year, a 2.1% increase from 2023. However, in 2018, when the industry was more optimistic, the growth rate was 13.3%. Developed markets are slowing down, emerging markets need further development, and the global market is entering a downturn. At gaming industry conferences, discussions often center around "casual games," "mixed holidays," and "lightweight" experiences, while 3A games, labeled as requiring "A lot of time," "A lot of resources," and "A lot of money," remain a luxury.

The Chinese gaming industry has traditionally focused on "pay-to-win" mobile games, which offer quicker returns and long-term profitability compared to 3A games. So why spend six years developing a 3A game with uncertain returns? Firstly, it helps establish cultural confidence in Chinese games. A vast number of Chinese players can finally experience a game rooted in their cultural background, while foreign players can learn about traditional Chinese culture. Li Hao, a game operator, shared with Xiaguang News, "The backgrounds of the games we used to play might be based on American comics or European myths, requiring us to understand those IPs first. Now the tables have turned; foreigners need to familiarize themselves with our IPs to better appreciate our games. But we naturally understand 'Journey to the West'; we know what abilities Wukong has and what enemies he faces, making the experience very smooth."

Source: "Black Myth: Wukong"

Secondly, some still believe that elaborate pay-to-win systems are not the core of gaming. Games are content products, ultimately relying on their quality.

When developing "Black Myth: Wukong," Feng Ji believed that labels were unimportant, and Chinese aesthetics were not a "get-out-of-jail-free card." He firmly believed in moving players with quality. "Put aside the labels for a moment. Consider whether you can still meet the standard as a work without these labels. I believe a good cultural or content product should naturally move those within a similar cultural group as the creators," he said. From a global perspective, a high-quality game will naturally reach overseas players. In fact, "Black Myth: Wukong" proves that cultural background is not an obstacle to global success—players will read "Journey to the West" in advance if the game is worth it. Players care about narrative integrity, depth, and game quality.

The success of "Black Myth: Wukong" is having a profound and lasting impact on the Chinese gaming industry. In the past, Chinese game companies and investors preferred low-risk, stable-income projects, leaving little room for high-investment, high-risk 3A console games. However, "Black Myth" has shown a new possibility. Chen Yuetian, an investor who has long observed the gaming industry, told Xiaguang News that "Black Myth's" success has significantly boosted investor confidence in 3A games. "Investors used to only invest in game company equity, but now they have another option: investing in 3A game projects. "Black Myth's" revenue could theoretically rival that of the film industry, so it's not inconceivable that some capital originally invested in film projects might consider entering the 3A game industry. With capital flowing in, more Chinese game companies will be willing to try long-term 3A projects, creating a virtuous cycle."

The Chinese gaming industry has long had dreams of producing 3A games. As early as 2020, Tencent appeared on Xbox's list of supported game developers and has continued to increase investment in foreign game studios. NetEase has partnered with renowned game developer Yuji Kobayashi (known for "Resident Evil") to lead the new studio GPTRACK50 into 3A game development. miHoYo has also released recruitment notices for a "new 3A IP" at its Canadian studio. While the domestic 3A game market is still relatively barren, "Black Myth: Wukong's" emergence has inspired the entire industry, much like "The Wandering Earth" in the film industry and "The Three-Body Problem" in science fiction. Good products may require money, time, and perseverance, but the journey itself holds value.

As Feng Ji said, "Embarking on the pilgrimage is more important than reaching the Western Paradise."

*Cover and header images sourced from the official Weibo account of "Black Myth: Wukong"