China’s highly anticipated AAA game Black Myth: Wukong has emerged as a major winner at The Game Awards (TGA) 2024, securing two prestigious awards: Best Action Game and the Players’ Voice award. The game was also nominated for Game of the Year, Best Game Direction, and Best Action Game — a remarkable achievement for a game developed by a Chinese studio.
At the award ceremony, Jiang Baicun, a key member of the game’s development team, expressed gratitude to the global gaming community, saying, “It is the support of the players that has allowed this Eastern myth about courage and wisdom to shine on such a grand stage.”
A Celebration of Chinese Culture
Produced by Game Science, Black Myth: Wukong is a prime example of how traditional Chinese culture can be revitalized using modern gaming technology. The game is inspired by the legendary Journey to the West, a classic work of Chinese literature, and centers around the mythical figure Sun Wukong, the Monkey King. The game immerses players in a world filled with Chinese mythology, historical landmarks, and cultural symbolism.
Feng Ji, the producer of the game and founder & CEO of Game Science, shared his vision for the project, emphasizing the importance of modern technology in preserving cultural heritage. “Culture must be understood as something living,” he told the Global Times. “Without modern technology and efforts to make intangible cultural heritage engage for today’s audience, culture will become fragile.”
The game showcases a rich tapestry of traditional Chinese elements, such as architecture, sculptures, and murals, faithfully recreating China’s geographical landscapes and cultural treasures. According to Zhang Qing from the Shanxi Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, “With Black Myth: Wukong, modern games serve as a dynamic medium to preserve historical culture and share Chinese stories.”
China’s Growing Global Gaming Influence
The success of Black Myth: Wukong at TGA 2024 highlights the growing influence of the Chinese gaming industry on the global stage. In recent years, China’s gaming market has achieved remarkable growth, not only in terms of domestic players but also in terms of international revenue.
According to the 2024 China Game Industry Report, the country’s gaming market reached a record-breaking revenue of 325.783 billion yuan ($44.758 billion) in 2024, reflecting a 7.53 percent increase from the previous year. Additionally, Chinese games saw significant international success, with $18.557 billion in overseas sales, marking a 13.39 percent increase year-on-year.
The success of Black Myth: Wukong has the potential to inspire more developers to create games that blend cultural narratives with immersive gameplay. Liu Mengfei, a game industry observer at Beijing Normal University, noted that the game’s success could encourage more developers to pursue narrative-driven game design, “As people see the success of Black Myth: Wukong, it could encourage more developers to confidently pursue narrative-driven game design.”
A Cultural and Industry Shift
Liu further emphasized the importance of integrating culture into game development, stating, “I believe that the Chinese gaming industry should focus on enhancing cultural expression and building systems that link culture with games.”
For Liu, the key to continued success lies in creating games that not only perform well commercially but also reflect deeper cultural themes. “A country’s gaming industry has to integrate with its local culture to become a gaming cultural powerhouse, no matter the size of its market,” she added.
The rise of Black Myth: Wukong shows that the global gaming industry is increasingly looking toward China as a significant player, not just in terms of revenue but also in terms of cultural influence. As the industry evolves, Black Myth: Wukong may set a new standard for how games can combine entertainment, cultural preservation, and global storytelling.
Looking Ahead
While Black Myth: Wukong is making waves now, the hope is that it is not a one-off success. As Liu pointed out, the Chinese gaming industry must focus on sustainable growth and deeper cultural expression to maintain global momentum. “I hope Black Myth: Wukong is not a one-hit wonder. The key is for the Chinese gaming industry to achieve global success through deeper cultural expression and sustainable development.”
As the global gaming community embraces culturally-rich titles like Black Myth: Wukong, the game’s success serves as a beacon for future Chinese games that may continue to captivate and inspire audiences worldwide.
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