The highly anticipated Chinese action RPG, Black Myth: Wukong, has made a significant impact on the global gaming scene since its release in August 2024. Developed by Game Science and co-published by Hero Games, the game is set in the world of the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West and has garnered attention for its stunning visuals and engaging gameplay. However, its journey is not without challenges, including technical issues, cultural sensitivities, and a censorship controversy.
Technical Challenges
Despite its impressive debut, Black Myth: Wukong has faced technical issues that have detracted from the player experience. The game, powered by Unreal Engine 5, has been criticized for frame rate drops, crashes, and other performance-related problems, particularly on PC. Game Science has acknowledged these issues, attributing them to the game’s vast scale and the diverse range of software and hardware environments it must operate on.
Players have reported video memory errors with 13th and 14th generation Intel CPUs, driver issues with AMD GPUs, and frame rate woes, especially with 40-series Nvidia cards. In response, Game Science has released patches and provided detailed FAQs to address these problems, advising players to restart the game or rest at Keeper’s Shrines to mitigate some of the issues.
Cultural Sensitivities and Appropriation
The game’s portrayal of Chinese mythology has sparked discussions about cultural authenticity and appropriation. Black Myth: Wukong is seen as a landmark event for the Chinese gaming industry, showcasing its ability to produce high-quality, culturally rich content. However, some critics argue that the game walks a fine line between respectful adaptation and cultural misrepresentation. This debate underscores the broader implications for Chinese-developed games aiming for global success.
The game’s success has also been seen as a boost to China’s cultural confidence, potentially advancing Beijing’s soft-power agenda. Analysts praise Black Myth: Wukong for lifting industry confidence and promoting Chinese culture from the ground up.
Censorship Controversy
Leading up to its launch, Black Myth: Wukong was embroiled in a censorship controversy. A company linked to the game’s developers distributed a list of subjects to avoid during livestreams, including “feminist propaganda,” Covid-19, and regulations concerning China’s gaming industry. This directive sparked outrage among content creators, who felt it was an attempt to stifle discussion and curtail freedom of expression.
The controversy highlighted the sensitive nature of certain topics in China and the constraints faced by content creators. Some streamers chose to defy these warnings, openly discussing prohibited topics during their streams, while others opted not to review the game in protest.
User and Critic Ratings
Despite these challenges, Black Myth: Wukong has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players and critics alike:
- Steam User Reviews: The game has over 200,000 player reviews on Steam, with an “Overwhelmingly Positive” rating.
- Concurrent Players: It reached 2.3 million concurrent players on Steam, ranking second among all games ever featured on the platform.
- Sales: The game sold 10 million units just three days after its release, and sales have significantly surpassed this figure, though not yet reaching double that number.
- Critical Reception: While critics have pointed out technical issues, the game’s visuals, gameplay mechanics, and cultural depth have been widely praised. For instance, IGN noted its potential to stand alongside the best in the action RPG genre, despite some technical issues.
Global Strategy and Market Insights
Looking ahead, Hero Games plans to adopt a global strategy for their game launches from the outset. Dino Ying, the chairman of Hero Games, expressed optimism regarding the potential for future AAA games from China, stating that Black Myth: Wukong has demonstrated that Chinese-developed games can achieve impressive global sales.
The success of Black Myth: Wukong has also highlighted the vast potential of the Chinese gaming market. With 600 million gamers and the potential for 1 million concurrent players, China represents a significant market that international AAA developers are beginning to recognize.
Conclusion
Black Myth: Wukong represents a significant milestone for the Chinese gaming industry, showcasing both technical prowess and cultural richness. However, its journey is marked by challenges such as technical issues, cultural sensitivities, and censorship controversies. As the game continues to evolve and address these challenges, its legacy will depend on how well it navigates these complex issues.
Sources:
- CNBC: China’s Hero Games shares what’s next after its hit Black Myth: Wukong
- South China Morning Post: Can Black Myth: Wukong break the Chinese gaming industry’s string of bad luck?
- Inverse: Black Myth: Wukong Lore Explainer
- IGN: Black Myth: Wukong Review
- The Wire China: How Wukong’s success could transform China’s video games industry
