On August 20, 2024, a thunderclap reverberated across the globe. "Black Myth: Wukong," hailed as China's first AAA game masterpiece and developed by Game Science, officially launched.
In less than four days, sales across all platforms surpassed 10 million, with global concurrent players soaring to 3 million. Within a week of its release, total sales across all platforms reached an astounding 15 million, shattering multiple historical records.
AAA games, typically referring to high-quality, large-scale productions that demand substantial time and resources, have long been dominated by Japanese and Western studios.
However, "Black Myth: Wukong" burst onto the scene with earth-shattering impact, surpassing the first-week sales of international AAA juggernauts like "Elden Ring," "Cyberpunk 2077," and "Baldur's Gate 3."
"Black Myth: Wukong" constructs a vast and exquisitely crafted adventure world where players embody a "Destined One" in pursuit of ancient legends. The game's visuals are breathtaking, while its combat and level design are equally noteworthy, garnering both critical acclaim and commercial success.
This achievement brings to mind August 27, 2004, in Athens, when Liu Xiang broke the Olympic record and tied the world record in the men's 110-meter hurdles final with a time of 12.91 seconds. He became China's first male Olympic champion in track and field, creating a legend in an event where Chinese athletes had never before triumphed.
"Black Myth: Wukong" has not only ignited a frenzy within China but has also sparked a "China wave" in overseas markets. Even China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has weighed in on the phenomenon.
Beyond the gaming industry, "Black Myth: Wukong" has recently become a focal point in entertainment, business, and society at large.
Yet, the company behind this milestone game, Game Science, is a little-known team of just over 100 people.
The journey to enlightenment is more significant than reaching the destination. This is a tale of ideals, perseverance, and breakthrough—a culmination of over a decade of accumulation, refinement, and explosion in China's gaming industry.
