Black Myth: Wukong, a highly anticipated Chinese video game backed by Tencent, broke Steam's concurrent player record for a single-player title on its launch day, surpassing Cyberpunk 2077 and becoming the second-most popular title on Steam with over 2.1 million concurrent players worldwide.
The game, the first AAA console game produced in China, is based on the classic 16th-century Chinese novel "Journey to the West," following a Buddhist monk's journey with the help of heroes and divine beings, including the iconic Monkey King character Sun Wukong.
4 View gallery
People queue to play Black Myth: Wukong at Gamescom 2023
(Photo: REUTERS/Jana Rodenbusch)
4 View gallery
A young man plays Chinese action role-playing game Black Myth: Wukong
(Photo: Hector RETAMAL / AFP)
Black Myth: Wukong's success is seen as an expansion of Chinese culture internationally and has generated significant excitement among young Chinese players, with a record of 1.2 million pre-orders in just over a month.
The game offers a rich skill and magic system influenced by Chinese mythology, a beautifully crafted world, and a narrative drawn from Chinese folklore, providing an immersive experience for players.
While the majority of players (88.1%) are from China, the game has also attracted players from the US (3%) and Japan (1%), and its growth could potentially surpass other popular titles like Palworld and PUBG.
4 View gallery
A woman stands next to a cardboard cutout of the Monkey King character, or Sun Wukong, of the Chinese action role-playing game Black Myth: Wukong during its launch day in Beijing
(Photo: Pedro PARDO / AFP)
Black Myth: Wukong has received positive reviews for its story, visually impressive and varied bosses, and the Monkey King's extraordinary abilities, such as superhuman strength, shapeshifting, and magical powers.
The game is heavily inspired by Dark Souls, featuring challenging bosses, precise combat focus, and an indirect storytelling approach, providing diverse combat mechanics and abilities within a short time frame.
4 View gallery
A young man plays Chinese action role-playing game Black Myth: Wukong
(Photo: Hector RETAMAL / AFP)
Various entities involved in Black Myth: Wukong, including Tencent Holdings, Zhejiang Publishing & Media, and Hero Games, have ties to the Chinese government and state-owned enterprises.
The game's success could impact the Chinese gaming industry, encouraging the development of more AAA games.
This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq
Sources: Bloomberg, New York Times, Forbes, Xinhua, The Verge, Engadget, ReadWrite, South China Morning Post, Tecmundo, Economic Times, Folha de S.Paulo, TechTudo, O Tempo, Terra, Canaltech.