Black Myth: Wukong, released by Chinese game company ‘Game Science,’ sold 10 million copies within its first release day. Within the first two weeks of release, 18 million copies were sold, marking a milestone in the Chinese game industry. With this popularity, it was recognized as the first Chinese game to receive a Triple-A evaluation.
Black Myth: Wukong is a game inspired by the classic Chinese literary work Journey to the West. It was developed over six years with a budget of 75 billion won. Triple-A games are high-budget productions by major game companies aiming to reach millions in sales.
Following the launch of Black Myth: Wukong in August, console sales in China surged by 800%. The popularity grew not only in China but also worldwide.
Initially, games were not viewed positively in China, leading to strict regulations and proposals for more restrictive laws. Regulations are strict for game users but relatively limited for game development and the industry, which is why hit games emerged.
What economic and social impacts have emerged in China? In economic terms, ‘Wukong-themed stocks’ emerged in response to Black Myth: Wukong’s success. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said, “This game contains the charm of traditional Chinese culture. It has elevated China’s status abroad.”
Along with this Chinese response, it is also gaining popularity overseas. Firstly, the U.S. and Japanese game companies see China as a promising new growth engine for the industry. Because of their strong influence in the console gaming market, they are well-positioned to seize this opportunity. As demand for console games increases in China, it offers a promising opportunity for market expansion. Secondly, Black Myth: Wukong has been praised as a major success, overcoming anti-China sentiment to achieve international attention. This is due to its success both globally and domestically in China. Furthermore, there is growing recognition that China’s capital and technological resources may make competition on the global stage increasingly challenging.
