Frank McDougall
A new Chinese-made game called “Black Myth: Wukong” has quickly gained popularity on the gaming platform Steam. Within hours of its launch, the action-adventure title based on the adventures of the Monkey King attracted over 1.3 million simultaneous players, making it the fourth most-played game on Steam. This achievement surpasses the records set by highly anticipated games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Elden Ring, and even overtakes popular titles like Dota 2 and Lost Ark in terms of peak player count.
The immense success of “Black Myth: Wukong” is seen as a positive sign for China’s multibillion-dollar gaming industry, which has faced regulatory scrutiny in recent years. With a strong debut performance, hopes are high that the industry is turning a corner and will continue to thrive. This summer has seen a busy pipeline of major game releases, including Tencent’s DnF Mobile, NetEase Inc.’s Naraka: Bladepoint, and indie studio Mihoyo’s ZZZ.
One of the reasons “Black Myth: Wukong” garnered such attention is that it was developed entirely by the local studio Game Science, with investment from Tencent. Unlike many of Tencent’s other blockbuster games, which it publishes domestically on its own WeGame platform, “Black Myth: Wukong” was solely developed by Game Science. The game is also available on Sony Group Corp’s PlayStation 5.
With gritty combat reminiscent of the challenging Dark Souls series, “Black Myth: Wukong” is being hailed as China’s most serious attempt at creating a high-budget PC-console blockbuster that could resonate globally. Prior to this, Chinese gaming successes have primarily been in the mobile arena, such as Mihoyo’s Genshin Impact.
Critics and players have praised “Black Myth: Wukong,” with major review sites giving it perfect scores. However, some global peers have noted minor issues with gameplay and translation. The founders of Game Science, including Feng Ji, had previous experience at Tencent before starting their own studio. Tencent acquired a 5% stake in the startup in 2021.
As “Black Myth: Wukong” continues to captivate players around the world, its early success on Steam signals a bright future for Chinese game developers and the industry as a whole.
One important question regarding the success of “Black Myth: Wukong” on Steam is whether the game will be able to maintain its popularity and player base in the long term. Achieving a strong start is impressive, but sustaining player engagement and interest can be challenging for any game.
Another key question is how “Black Myth: Wukong” will fare in the global gaming market. While it has received positive reviews and attention, the game faces competition from established franchises and international titles. Its success will depend on its ability to appeal to a wide range of players beyond the initial hype.
A challenge associated with the game is the need for continuous updates and improvements. As players spend more time with the game, they may discover gameplay issues or areas that require tweaking. Game Science will need to address these concerns to maintain a satisfied player base.
There could be controversy surrounding the involvement of Tencent, as the company has faced criticism for its influence on the gaming industry and concerns about data privacy. Some players may have reservations about supporting a game associated with Tencent, despite its independent development by Game Science.
Advantages of “Black Myth: Wukong” include its unique setting and story, drawing inspiration from the classic Chinese tale of the Monkey King. This gives the game a distinct flavor and appeal, especially for players interested in exploring different cultural narratives.
The game’s visual design and combat system, reminiscent of the Dark Souls series, have been praised for their quality and depth. This adds to the overall immersive experience and can attract players looking for challenging and rewarding gameplay.
A disadvantage of “Black Myth: Wukong” is the potential language barrier for non-Chinese speakers. While the game has received positive reviews, some global peers have noted issues with translation. This could impact the game’s accessibility and reception among players who prefer a seamless and well-localized experience.
Suggested related links:
– Steam page for “Black Myth: Wukong”
– Official website of Game Science
