The release of the highly anticipated game, Black Myth: Wukong, has shaken the gaming industry, with its stunning visuals and immersive gameplay. Developed by Game Science, backed by Chinese tech giant Tencent, this action-packed RPG takes inspiration from the 16th-century Chinese novel, Journey to the West. With over 2.2 million concurrent players and 10 million sales in just 3 days, Black Myth: Wukong is a testament to the growing influence of Chinese gaming companies.
The release of Black Myth: Wukong has sparked a tourism boom in northern China. Image: SCMP
Black Myth: Wukong transports players to a world filled with stunning Chinese landscapes, from misty mountains and lush forests to ancient Buddhist sculptures and clear rivers. The game’s attention to detail and cultural authenticity, especially in its depiction of architectural wonders like temples and shrines, is remarkable. This AAA title from Game Science, a studio with no prior experience in developing blockbuster games, has truly raised the bar for the industry.
Embracing Culture to Enhance Player Experience
Chinese media has praised Black Myth: Wukong for its ambitious goal of bringing a classic Chinese novel and its cultural storytelling to gamers worldwide. The game’s narrative revolves around the beloved character of Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, and his quest to collect six spiritual stones to resurrect the Great Sage Equal to Heaven.
Instead of the typical castles and cathedrals found in Western video games, Wukong showcases Chinese temples and shrines, all based on centuries-old heritage, particularly in Shanxi Province, known for its ancient wooden architecture. The game’s stunning visuals and attention to cultural detail have created a unique immersive experience that has captivated players worldwide.
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Tourists flock to see the real-life locations featured in the game. |
The game’s developers, Game Science, conducted extensive research into the story and cultural heritage of Journey to the West. They visited the locations in Shanxi Province featured in the game to ensure authenticity. Brand consultant Jolin Guan commended the design and production team for their dedication, stating that they read the novel over a hundred times and meticulously studied everything from demons to deities. Their commitment to cultural accuracy has paid off, as evidenced by the game’s immense popularity.
Black Myth: Wukong Sparks a Tourism Boom
The game’s impact extends beyond the gaming sphere, as it has sparked a tourism boom in Shanxi Province. Local authorities have capitalized on the game’s popularity by releasing advertisements linking the game to the province’s cultural attractions. SCMP reported that Shanxi has become a tourist hotspot, with gamers flocking to see the real-life locations featured in the game.
Out of the 36 primary filming locations, 27 are in Shanxi Province, including Xiao Xitian, Miaohuang Temple, and Tiefo Temple. The game also features famous sites in Sichuan, Leshui, Hangzhou, and Chongqing. The province has witnessed a surge in tourism, with players eager to explore the stunning landscapes and cultural landmarks featured in Black Myth: Wukong.
One such location is a Buddhist temple dating back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), which has seen a threefold increase in ticket sales. The game has brought new life to Shanxi’s rich cultural heritage, and local authorities are now focused on promoting the province as a must-visit destination for gamers and cultural enthusiasts alike.
Yungang Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, featured in the Chinese blockbuster game Black Myth: Wukong. Image: Shutterstock Images
Shanxi, known for its abundant cultural resources, ancient caves, and classical architecture, has previously struggled to attract tourists due to transportation challenges and lack of promotion. However, the game’s release has changed this perception, with 20 videos on Bilibili showcasing the province’s breathtaking scenery, including one titled “Shanxi Tourism with Wukong.”
Shanxi is not the only region in China leveraging the game’s popularity to boost tourism. Lianyungang, a city in eastern Jiangsu Province, believed to be the birthplace of Sun Wukong, has offered free tours of Hua Guo Shan (Fruit Mountain) to players who complete all the game’s tasks. Black Myth: Wukong has become a powerful tool for promoting cultural tourism in China.
Cultural Export and Global Appeal
The game’s impact has reached new heights, with a question about Black Myth: Wukong being raised during a press conference at the Chinese Foreign Ministry on August 21st. Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning acknowledged the game’s popularity and its ability to showcase the appeal of traditional Chinese culture. Many on Sina Weibo praised the game as an excellent example of Chinese cultural export.
The game has effectively promoted Eastern culture to Western countries, with many viewers revisiting Journey to the West to understand the story.
Feng Ji, founder and CEO of Game Science, based in Shenzhen, shared that their team did not initially set out to represent Chinese culture when they began the project in 2018. However, they recognized the global appeal of traditional Chinese literature and its underlying Eastern philosophy and values. “We are expressing Chinese culture in a natural way,” he added.
The choice to base the game on Journey to the West was an instinctive one for the team. “When we Chinese see the images or hear the name of Sun Wukong, we have a special feeling,” Feng Ji explained. The character’s popularity, both domestically and internationally, made him the perfect choice for the game’s protagonist.
Even before the game’s release, Sun Wukong-related content on YouTube, with English subtitles or dubbing, gained significant traction. The story’s appeal to Western scholars like Jim R. McClanahan, who studied anthropology at the University of Miami, and its influence on games like Dota, further emphasized its global reach.
