Black Myth: Wukong, a role-playing game developed by Chinese company Game Science, ignited the passions of the gaming community at this year's gamescom in Cologne, Germany after it won the award for Best Visuals at the event.
As the top platform for the global gaming industry, gamescom 2023 attracted more than 1,200 exhibitors from 63 countries and regions. Over 300,000 visitors attended the event over five days.
And this year's event saw the participation of over 30 Chinese game developers, including both well-established industry leaders and emerging companies. With the rapid growth of the Chinese gaming market, a number of high-quality and influential Chinese games have emerged, capturing the attention of the global market.
Inspired by the classical Chinese novel "Journey to the West," Black Myth: Wukong, which is set to be released next summer, offers players the chance to embark on thrilling adventures set in awe-inspiring environments.
A screenshot of Chinese game Black Myth: Wukong./ Game Science
"Every year at gamescom, Chinese companies bring an unparalleled experience to European players. The joy of gaming lies in sharing experiences, and Chinese games excel in this area. They allow players to embark on adventures and advance the story together with their friends," said Christian Baur, head of gamescom.
The storylines of games are generally based on the respective cultures of their developers, where European storylines tend to draw on European history, and Chinese storylines often focus on Chinese history. Christian Baur added that it was crucial for players from both sides to understand and experience each other's cultures to foster mutual recognition and respect.
With the Chinese gaming industry experiencing significant growth, companies have been striving to expand their global market presence. Some e-sports players from around the world have also become familiar with Chinese games. German e-sports player Brandon Finnenthal said, "It's rare to find European games that incorporate Chinese elements, but I have a strong affinity for Chinese culture. After playing Naraka: Bladepoint, I developed a strong desire to visit China and experience the local culture firsthand. The game has brought me closer to China and allowed me to start understanding and experiencing the culture."
A screenshot of Chinese game Black Myth: Wukong./ Game Science
By incorporating elements of traditional Chinese culture into games like Black Myth: Wukong, Chinese game developers have established iconic games and are constantly innovating to cater to the preferences of young players from around the world.
As Deng Pei, senior vice president of Perfect World Games, put it, "The vast and profound themes of Chinese culture, which has a history of 5,000 years, are inexhaustible. In the future, it will be important that we present these themes in a more diverse and inclusive manner to global users."