Is This Chinese Video Game the Next Savior of the Industry?
Is the success of Black Myth: Wukong indicative of China's influence on contemporary media, or does it represent a beacon of hope for gamers? Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
In every sector, there are entities that defy the conventional approaches. In the gaming industry, dominating themes often include DLCs, micro-transactions, season passes, and a push towards making each game a live service. This focus shifts particularly when companies go public or are acquired by private equity, aligning primarily with the goal of earning profits for shareholders.
This trend is seen across various media, including gaming, music, film, and even among YouTubers. Despite this, some creators still pursue the art they are passionate about and believe should be shared with the world.
In recent years, games like Elden Ring in 2022 and Baldur’s Gate 3 in 2023 have made significant impacts, showing players that there are alternatives to the repetitive cycle of live service games, reboots, and franchise sequels. For 2024, Black Myth: Wukong is poised to take this role.
Black Myth: Wukong outperformed expectations tremendously, quickly becoming the second-most-played game on Steam ever, with an impressive 95% positive rating from the first day.
The game's launch wasn’t without its controversies, however. IGN published a critical article that was detrimental to the perception of Chinese gaming culture and included several accusations against the developers from the studio. Many of these claims were later revealed to be misinterpretations, fueling disputes until IGN issued a clarification and the article's author scaled back some statements.
Amidst differing perspectives, some critics attribute societal issues to gaming culture while ignoring that issues like misogyny and racism are prevalent across all of society. Another faction downplays the game's success, attributing it to its popularity among Chinese players, a point which overlooks the natural supportive response from local audiences much like the Polish support for the Witcher series.
Conversely, some industry leaders view Black Myth: Wukong as a threat, as it underscores a high demand for well-crafted, straightforward single player games without excessive monetization or technical issues at launch. This trend might encourage major companies to return to their roots, recognizing the potential of independent firms like Game Science to rise to AAA status.
Furthermore, some unique strategies by the game’s developers, influenced by compliance with Chinese regulations, have raised eyebrows internationally. Game reviewers were instructed to avoid topics like Covid-19, local politics, or sensitive ideological themes, a directive more stringent than typically seen in the industry.
Regardless of the viewpoint one may hold, Black Myth: Wukong marks a refreshing departure from games designed purely for profit, highlighting an industry still capable of innovation, passion, and respect for gamers’ desires, showing that even a game from a Chinese developer can sometimes better meet player expectations than Western counterparts.
Anna Muller for TROIB News
This trend is seen across various media, including gaming, music, film, and even among YouTubers. Despite this, some creators still pursue the art they are passionate about and believe should be shared with the world.
In recent years, games like Elden Ring in 2022 and Baldur’s Gate 3 in 2023 have made significant impacts, showing players that there are alternatives to the repetitive cycle of live service games, reboots, and franchise sequels. For 2024, Black Myth: Wukong is poised to take this role.
Black Myth: Wukong outperformed expectations tremendously, quickly becoming the second-most-played game on Steam ever, with an impressive 95% positive rating from the first day.
The game's launch wasn’t without its controversies, however. IGN published a critical article that was detrimental to the perception of Chinese gaming culture and included several accusations against the developers from the studio. Many of these claims were later revealed to be misinterpretations, fueling disputes until IGN issued a clarification and the article's author scaled back some statements.
Amidst differing perspectives, some critics attribute societal issues to gaming culture while ignoring that issues like misogyny and racism are prevalent across all of society. Another faction downplays the game's success, attributing it to its popularity among Chinese players, a point which overlooks the natural supportive response from local audiences much like the Polish support for the Witcher series.
Conversely, some industry leaders view Black Myth: Wukong as a threat, as it underscores a high demand for well-crafted, straightforward single player games without excessive monetization or technical issues at launch. This trend might encourage major companies to return to their roots, recognizing the potential of independent firms like Game Science to rise to AAA status.
Furthermore, some unique strategies by the game’s developers, influenced by compliance with Chinese regulations, have raised eyebrows internationally. Game reviewers were instructed to avoid topics like Covid-19, local politics, or sensitive ideological themes, a directive more stringent than typically seen in the industry.
Regardless of the viewpoint one may hold, Black Myth: Wukong marks a refreshing departure from games designed purely for profit, highlighting an industry still capable of innovation, passion, and respect for gamers’ desires, showing that even a game from a Chinese developer can sometimes better meet player expectations than Western counterparts.
Anna Muller for TROIB News
