Black Myth: Wukong Captivates the AAA Games Market by Tencent's Game Science

Game Science: The Minds Behind Black Myth: Wukong

Founded in 2014 by Feng Ji in Shenzhen, Game Science has emerged in AAA gaming with its flagship title, Black Myth: Wukong. After years of hard work, the studio released a stunning action title that set records on platforms like Steam.

The Development Journey

• Originally a modest team of 13, Game Science expanded to 140 members through strategic recruitment to craft a high-quality game.
• Black Myth: Wukong, inspired by the Monkey King from the classic Journey to the West, represents a critical moment for Chinese game development.
• The ambitious project required committing resources to create a prosperous single-player experience against the trend of service-oriented and mobile games prevalent in China.

Market Impact of Wukong

In its first 24 hours, Black Myth: Wukong recorded a remarkable 2.22 million concurrent players, marking it as a game changer in the video gaming industry. This example emphasizes risk versus reward within the AAA game market.

Regulatory Challenges and Financial Backing

• Game Science has overcome stringent gaming regulations in China to bring Wukong to the audience.
• Tencent Holdings holds a 5% stake in Game Science, underlining the collaborations shaping the gaming landscape.
• The estimated production budget of over $40 million highlights the financial commitment and risks associated with developing AAA-quality games.

As Black Myth: Wukong continues to lead discussions in China's video gaming scene, its story illustrates the potential and challenges faced by AAA game developers today.