Chinese culture behind the success of the video game “Black Myth: Wukong”

BEIJING (August 24): In a world where ever-evolving cutting-edge technologies are redefining the lifestyles of “Generation Z,” a game named “Black Myth: Wukong,” with its exquisite storylines and Chinese cultural genes, has sparked a craze among game enthusiasts around the world.

Within 10 hours of its official worldwide release, the Triple-A game had over two million concurrent players on Steam.

The unexpected success of the game, developed by a private Chinese company for six years, has allowed people to appreciate exotic traditional Chinese culture in addition to the fun and joy of playing the game.

Wukong, or Monkey King, is an iconic character from Journey to the West, a classic Chinese novel dating back approximately 500 years.

The story follows the adventures of a monk and his three disciples, centering on Sun Wukong, known for his supernatural abilities and mischievous nature.

Its impact on the video game industry has been widely praised.

Back to basics, as Feng Ji, the game’s producer, said: “The game is of a good enough quality to entice players to immerse themselves in the Chinese story of god and evil.”

Interest in ancient Chinese literature Journey to the West has been sparked among netizens and gamers.

Some of those who bought this game might not be fans of the classic Chinese epic, but you might be – that’s what it proved.

A lively discussion going on in the online gaming community Reddit shows that players are “working hard” on every detail of the novel.

From the fundamental question, “Which version of Journey to the West should I read?” to the numerous reprints of an English-language essay, “Summary of Journey to the West,” the game has made various versions of the Chinese classic highly sought after.

Games or films that combine iconic cultural elements can also be considered a form of cultural exchange.

A few years ago, Disney created the hit animated film Mulan, based on a famous Chinese folk heroine who disguised herself as a man to serve in the military, replacing her father.

Indeed, enjoying the game could be a journey to discover the beauty of Chinese culture: its music, its landscapes, its architecture, its clothes or even its folk tales.

“Traditional culture is there and you will like it when you see it,” said the game’s art director, Yang Qi.

“What we can do is give people a deeper insight into the game.”

China’s abundance of well-preserved historical buildings gave the domestic game developer an innate advantage.

Digitally scanning old buildings to feature them in the game is more cost-effective and provides a better authentic experience.

“Chinese games like Black Myth: Wukong draw inspiration from traditional cultural aesthetics. This could be refreshing after years of excessive cyberpunk styles and exaggerated colors.

“Few things are as rich and diverse as the traditional tales of ancient cultures,” says X user “LearningTheLaw.”

Of course, a game is a game. China will always welcome travelers from all over the world who want to explore and learn more about its profound culture.

As one Reddit user wrote: “I (American) have been waiting for so long to see more Chinese influence in the Western gaming sphere. Chinese culture and mythology is rich.

“I hope we can get more things like this. I would love to go to China one day.” – Xinhua