People walk past a poster for "Black Myth: Wukong" in Renhuai City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, September 15, 2024. /CFP
The highly anticipated Chinese video game "Black Myth: Wukong" has shattered records just one month after its release. According to data analytics firm VideoGame Insights, the game has sold an impressive 20 million copies on Steam alone, generating over $961 million in revenue. This milestone sets a new benchmark for China's domestic AAA (Triple-A) game sales.
"Black Myth: Wukong" is also available on platforms such as WeGame, PlayStation and Epic. Industry analysts predict that with its strong initial performance, annual sales could reach between 30 and 40 million copies.
A woman takes a photo of a "Destiny Man" doll in Hangzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, August 23, 2024. /CFP
Chinese-developed AAA game
The gaming world was abuzz with excitement over the action role-playing game (ARPG) "Black Myth: Wukong."
Considered the first Chinese-developed Triple-A title, the game topped Steam's "most-played games" list – one of the leading gaming platforms – just an hour after its debut. By 9 p.m. on August 23, three days after its release, it had already sold over 10 million copies across all platforms.
The game underwent six years of meticulous development, supported by a substantial investment of at least 400 million yuan (about $56 million). This significant financial commitment underscores its status as a pioneering AAA title in China. It also highlights China's growing cultural influence beyond traditional mediums, with video games emerging as new ambassadors of its rich heritage.
"Black Myth: Wukong," developed by Game Science, draws inspiration from the famous Chinese novel "Journey to the West." The story follows the adventures of a monk and his three disciples, focusing on Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, known for his supernatural abilities and mischievous nature. The influence of "Journey to the West" spans China and beyond, particularly in East Asia, and has been adapted into operas, TV series, films, and now a video game.
A poster for "Black Myth: Wukong" on display in Shanghai, east China, July 26, 2024. /CFP
Booming market
The global spread of gaming culture is often driven by curiosity and a sense of mystery, two of the most powerful forms of attraction, said Yu Ranxing, co-founder of Game Science.
"We hope to show that Chinese games can also achieve world-class standards through our efforts," Yu added.
China's gaming market is evolving towards more diversified competition, and the industry is undergoing a period of growth and transformation, which Yu described as an "unprecedented opportunity."
As the largest gaming market in the world, China's sales revenue exceeded 300 billion yuan in 2023. An industry report revealed that in the first half of 2024, domestic gaming market revenue reached 147.3 billion yuan, up 2.08 percent year on year, with the number of users in China hitting a record high of 674 million.