By Xiaorui Hang

The most anticipated game of the year was just released, and the number of active players has been rising every day since. 

Since its release on Sept. 20, Black Myth: Wukong has attracted more than 10 million sales, with over 2.5 million active players in just three short days. This makes the game the most popular single-player game ever. 

The action role-playing game, developed and published by Game Science, draws inspiration from the classic Chinese novel “Journey to the West.” The game centers around an anthropomorphic monkey character, modeled after Sun Wukong from the novel. As the first Chinese-developed “Triple-A” title to achieve such success, Black Myth: Wukong is a landmark release for the Chinese gaming industry. It has even ignited interest in traditional Chinese culture and renewed enthusiasm for Chinese mythology among gamers living in Western countries.

“I’m thrilled that Westerners are getting to know this massive piece of work that is so important to Chinese culture,” Yu Shang, a retired journalist now creating gaming content said. “It’s wonderful to see our culture spreading throughout the world in such an engaging way.”

“Journey to the West” is one of the most celebrated novels in Chinese literature, often regarded as one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese culture. Written in the 16th century during the Ming Dynasty, the story is a complex blend of mythology, folklore, religion, and allegory. It has profoundly influenced Chinese culture, permeating everything from language and art to philosophy and popular entertainment.

The novel’s protagonist, the Monkey King Sun Wukong, is a beloved character known for his strength, cunning, and rebellious spirit. His journey with Tang Sanzang and his fellow disciples is not just a physical adventure but also a spiritual quest, filled with lessons about morality, loyalty, and redemption. The chronicles of the game Black Myth: Wukong takes place after the Journey to West, but references it heavily. The game’s success has reignited interest in this rich narrative, introducing a new generation to the tale of 1592.

Players worldwide are diving into the depths of Chinese mythology, exploring the complexities of its characters and the significance of its stories. The game’s success highlights a growing trend of interest in non-Western narratives in mainstream media, challenging the dominance of Western mythology in global pop culture.

The resurgence of interest in Journey to the West is not limited to China. Gamers around the world are seeking to understand the source material to enhance their gameplay experience. 

This has led to a noticeable increase in views on YouTube videos and other online resources that explain the story and characters of Journey to the West. For instance, a YouTube series dedicated to retelling the novel has seen a surge in popularity, with many viewers preparing themselves to tackle the challenges presented in the game. 

As one example, viewer Kirsten Golnaz commented on a video explaining the events of Journey to the West that, despite hearing “some snippets of Journey to the West as a child,” they never actually “read the real thing until last month, in preparation for Black Myth: Wukong.”

The game’s release has also sparked a wave of creativity among its players. Online communities are buzzing with discussions about the game’s lore, gameplay mechanics, and cultural significance. On Reddit, the Black Myth: Wukong subreddit has become a hub for fans to share their experiences, fan theories, and strategies. A post summarizing Journey to the West received more than 100k upvotes, as players rushed to understand how the novel’s themes and events are reflected in the game.

Fan art, fan fiction, and other creative expressions inspired by the game are flooding the internet. Artists are reimagining scenes from the novel and the game, blending traditional Chinese artistic styles with modern digital techniques. These fan creations not only showcase the game’s impact on its audience but also contribute to a broader appreciation of Chinese culture.

The impact of Black Myth: Wukong extends beyond the gaming community. Scholars of Chinese literature and mythology are taking note of the game’s success and its potential to introduce Journey to the West to a wider audience. 

Jim R. McClanahan, a Journey to the West scholar, has created a comprehensive catalog of Sun Wukong’s abilities from all 100 chapters of the novel. His work, initially aimed at academic and literary circles, is now attracting interest from gamers, fanfiction writers, and artists eager to explore the full breadth of the Monkey King’s powers.

Even in China, where Journey to the West is a well-known and well-loved story, the game is revitalizing interest in the novel. Shang said that in this modern age, where people are “stepping away from books, this is how culture should be passed down.”

This game that is considered by many to be the “game of the year” has been released after four years of development and anticipation from Game Science, but it’s more than just a game. The story of Black Myth: Wukong includes many elements of Chinese culture, and the Chinese community is very excited that this part of their heritage is being shared with the world. 

Through its innovative gameplay and deep cultural roots, Black Myth: Wukong is not only setting new standards in the gaming industry but also serving as a bridge between cultures, inviting players everywhere to explore the rich tapestry of Chinese mythology.