Chinese Adventure Game 'Black Myth: Wukong' Sells 10 Million in Three Days

China's 'Black Myth: Wukong,' backed by Tencent, achieved a remarkable 10 million copies sold within three days. It became a record-breaking debut, with 3 million peak concurrent users. Priced at $38 in China, the action-adventure game's popularity surpassed games like 'Cyberpunk 2077' and 'Elden Ring.' Despite years of regulatory hurdles, the success of 'Wukong' signifies a potential turnaround for China's $40 billion gaming industry.

The Chinese gaming industry, long burdened by regulatory hurdles, is experiencing a potential turning point, as evidenced by the remarkable success of a new action-adventure game, 'Black Myth: Wukong' [1]. Developed by Hangzhou-based Game Science and backed by Tencent Holdings Ltd., the title achieved an unprecedented 10 million copies sold within three days of its launch, making it the fourth most popular game on Steam in history [1].

The game, based on the antics of the fabled Monkey King, generated immense popularity, with 3 million peak concurrent users, surpassing the popularity of highly anticipated titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Elden Ring [1]. This impressive debut not only solidified Wukong's place in industry lore but also indicates that China's gaming sector is poised for a rebound, following years of regulatory scrutiny [1].

The Chinese regulators have been known for their stringent control over the gaming industry. However, the success of 'Black Myth: Wukong' might encourage them to be more supportive of game development for export, which could lead to a surge in AAA game development for PC and console within China [1].

The game's debut generated significant attention, not only within the Chinese gaming community but also internationally. In China, it quickly became the top trending topic on microblogging site Weibo, with local beverage chain Luckin Coffee issuing an apology after running out of game posters [1].

Investors were also buoyed by the news, with shares of Huayi Brothers Media Corp. and Citic Press Corp. surging on speculation of potential ties to the game [1].

The success of 'Black Myth: Wukong' serves as a testament to the potential of the Chinese gaming industry, despite the challenges it has faced in recent years. This record-breaking debut might pave the way for more innovation and growth within the sector.

Sources:
[1] Fortune. (2024, August 20). China's Black Myth: Wukong beats records, seals place in industry lore. Fortune. https://fortune.com/asia/2024/08/20/china-black-myth-wukong-beats-records-elden-ring-cyberpunk-tencent-video-game/?itm_source=parsely-api