Chinese video game “Black Myth: Wukong” has sent ripples across the world of gaming, selling more than 10 million copies across all platforms, just three days after its release on August 20, developer Game Science announced.
Considered the first Chinese-developed AAA title, Black Myth: Wukong topped the “most-played games” list on Steam, a popular gaming platform, just an hour after its debut. Game Science revealed that the game’s maximum number of concurrent players across all platforms surpassed 3 million.
The new game draws inspiration from the classic Chinese novel "Journey to the West." the story follows the adventures of a monk and his three disciples, with a focus on Sun Wukong, the legendary Monkey King known for his powers. With the positive response from the audience and critics, industry experts believe the game’s sales will continue to surge.
Also Read: Samsung Galaxy Watch Users Get ‘Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification’
Black Myth: Wukong Has Become A Sensation
According to a projection from Goldman Sachs, Black Myth: Wukong could sell 12 million copies on Steam, garnering over 3 billion yuan (approx $420 million) in revenue. If the market stays bullish, the game could also reach 20 million units sold, with revenue topping 5 billion yuan.
AAA titles are in a market dominated by developers from countries such as the US, Japan, and France. Pan Helin, a member of an expert committee under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said Black Myth: Wukong’s launch has spurred consumption in related sectors and boosted interest in traditional Chinese culture.
Known for its rich cultural heritage and modern gaming mechanics, the new game has become a sensation in the gaming community. Its unmatched success has even boosted the stock prices of some firms and also encouraged tourism in north China’s Shanxi Province, one of the key filming locations for the title.
Also Read: Huawei Tri-Fold Smartphone Launch Confirmed By CEO
Black Myth: Wukong Attracting Global Audience
While most of the game’s players are from China, its popularity is spreading across the globe rapidly. Some fans have compiled more than 200 pages of background material to help international players understand the story’s deep cultural roots. Yu Ranxing, co-founder of Game Science, said, "We hope to show that Chinese games can also achieve world-class standards through our efforts."
China’s gaming market is going towards more diversified competition, and the industry is undergoing a period of growth and transformation, which Yu describes as an "unprecedented opportunity."
China is currently the biggest gaming market in the world, with sales revenue exceeding 300 billion yuan in 2023. As per an industry report, in the first half of 2024, the sales revenue of the domestic gaming market reached 147.3 billion yuan, up 2.08 percent year on year, with the users in the country reaching a record high of 674 million.