Internet goes wild for Chinese video game even as reviewers bash censorship
A newly released video game from China topped charts worldwide on Wednesday, even as players raised concerns about censorship during advance promotion.
HONG KONG — A newly released video game from China topped charts worldwide on Wednesday, in what was celebrated as a breakthrough for the global projection of Chinese culture even as overseas players raised concerns about censorship during the game’s promotion.
Loosely inspired by the 16th-century Chinese classical epic “Journey to the West,” the action role-playing game “Black Myth: Wukong” has become a gaming sensation, drawing acclaim both at home and abroad for its stunning visuals and portrayal of Chinese culture and mythology. Its developer, Game Science, is backed by the Chinese technology giant Tencent, China’s biggest video game publisher.
Players wake up in the game as a magical ape that can shapeshift into other animals as well as human-like characters. They then set off on an arduous journey during which they combat monsters and discover the six relics of Wukong, or the Monkey King, that enhance the character’s different powers.
Within hours of its release on Tuesday, “Black Myth: Wukong” was topping worldwide sales on Steam, an online distribution platform where the game can be downloaded and played starting at $59.99. At its peak on Wednesday, it was being played concurrently by 2.2 million people, more than any other game on the platform.
Experts say the much-anticipated game, which generated tens of millions of dollars in presales, is a watershed moment for China’s gaming industry, which historically has been plagued with regulatory challenges and policy changes that limit game time and in-game purchases for some players, as authorities try to combat gaming addiction especially among young people.
Rating: 5