Chinese video game "Black Myth: Wukong" has sold over 4.5 million copies since Tuesday's release, garnering over 200 million U.S. dollars in sales as the most successful Chinese video game so far.
Developed by Hangzhou-based Game Science, the video game is now available on platforms including Steam, Play Station 5, Epic Games Store and Tencent WeGame.
The game reached a peak of more than two million concurrent players on Steam on Wednesday, marking the second-best result of all time on the platform.
Meanwhile, hashtags related to the game have accumulated over two billion views on China’s microblogging platform Weibo, further demonstrating its widespread popularity.
Inspired by the 16th-century Chinese classic "Journey to the West", the release of "Black Myth: Wukong" signifies a bold entry by Chinese game developers into a market traditionally dominated by Western triple-A titles.
Triple-A games are typically defined as high-cost, high-volume, high-quality stand-alone titles, a market long dominated by Japanese, American and French companies.
Vivi Lin, an innovation consultant for start-ups based in Silicon Valley, California, said the game has become a global phenomenon and highlighted three major elements contributing to its global appeal.
"First of all, the game's high-quality production. The studio, Game Science, really did an amazing job leveraging Unreal Engine to deliver stunning graphics and smooth animations. If you try the game, you know what I'm talking about. The natural landscapes and also the Asian architecture, drawn from Chinese myth, have captivated players' hearts and minds," Lin explained to China Global Television Network (CGTN) via a video link.
Lin also emphasized the game's innovative gameplay as a key factor in its success.
"And the second factor is the innovative gameplay. We know that this is an action role-playing game, so the story has to be compelling enough, and luckily, Wukong has what it takes to be successful. Gamers say that the game's design and story are refreshing and rewarding, such as the use of magical abilities, and agile combat, also with the mix of strategies, skill and excitement, which keeps them engaged," said Lin.
She further elaborated on the cultural depth and global appeal of the game, identifying it as a crucial factor in its widespread success.
"Probably one of the most important reasons, in my opinion, for the success is the cultural depth of the game. Wukong not only resonates deeply with Chinese players due to the rich cultural heritage from 'Journey to the West,' it also connects with international audiences with this iconic myth and ancient philosophy. The global gaming community loves the authenticity and also the depth of the game. Many of my friends told me that they had a great cultural experience playing the game," Lin noted.
Lin also touched on the broader impact of the game on cultural exchange and its potential to pave the way for future projects.
"Wukong represents a major milestone in exporting Chinese culture to global audience. From where I can see, we have a lot of potential to open up the rich Chinese culture and introduce it to the world. Because there's a huge appetite for diverse and cultural stories from the global audience. And Wukong's success shows us that when cultural heritage is presented in the right way, such as with high production value, great storytelling, authenticity, and also with a right touch of humanity, it could resonate deeply across different cultures," Lin said.
Looking ahead, Lin expressed optimism about the opportunities that "Wukong" creates for Chinese storytellers, game developers, and media producers, as it paves the way for more Chinese games and other media products to reach a wider global audience eager to appreciate and experience the richness of Chinese culture.
Chinese game "Black Myth: Wukong" garners record-breaking sales
