Black Myth: Wukong Dominates Chinese Video Gaming Industry with Record Approvals
The Surge in Game Approvals
This month, China approved 117 video games, the largest batch in 2024, marking a notable recovery in the video gaming sector. Black Myth: Wukong, an action role-playing game, released just last week, is a significant catalyst for this change.
Key Titles Licensed
- Yirenzhixia by Tencent Holdings
- Jiewai Kuangchao operated by NetEase
- Huangyuan Shuguang from Lingxi Games, a subsidiary of Alibaba
Additional major contenders include Perfect World and Yoozoo Games. State-owned companies China Mobile and China Telecom have also secured licenses for multiple titles.
Market Dynamics
After an eight-month regulatory freeze, the National Press and Publication Administration (NPPA) resumed licensing in April 2022, with a total of 850 domestic titles approved in 2024 so far, in contrast to 609 in 2023.
Impact of Black Myth: Wukong
This surge reflects the game’s phenomenal success, having sold over 10 million copies within three days of launch, and is part of the popular narrative from the classic novel Journey to the West. The game is available on platforms such as PlayStation 5, Steam, and will soon be accessible for Xbox Series X and Series S.
Positive Industry Outlook
The excitement around this blockbuster suggests a healthy consumer spending forecast within China’s gaming landscape, projected by Newzoo to hit US$45 billion this year.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.