Black Myth: Wukong is currently the second-most-popular video game on Steam, with an all-time peak of 2,415,714 concurrent players. It joins Cyberpunk 2077 as the only two single-player games on Steam that has had more than a million players log in to play simultaneously.
Ever since coming out on August 20, the game, which, for many years, most thought would never come out – if someone told me a year ago the kick-ass martial arts AAA game from a little-known Chinese studio was more than just a tech demo, I doubt I’d believe you – everyone can only seem to talk about it, and who can blame them?
Game Science’s debut title continues to break records every day.
In addition to a Steam player count that no one ever really thought was possible for a single-player title, the action RPG is defying all odds, much like its protagonist, the titular Sun Wukong.
According to a Bloomberg report, Black Myth: Wukong is so popular that its release in China saw players flock to Alilibaba’s Taobao e-commerce storefront as players sought to buy a PlayStation 5 to circumvent the game’s steep PC requirements.
While the PlayStation 5 continues to dominate the sales charts on a global scale, the flagship Sony console, and consoles, in general, have traditionally struggled to see similar success in China. The country has a penchant for free-to-play mobile titles, dominated by Dungeon & Fighter: Origins, Honor of Kings, PUBG Mobile, and so on.
With that said, while Black Myth: Wukong’s success might feel like an outlier – it isn’t.
The market has shifted, showing a growing and now-undeniable preference for an experience players can enjoy on their own but still have fun discussing with others, especially online. Once overshadowed by the rise of multiplayer games and battle royale formats, these once-obsolete games are regaining their dominance and capturing gamers’ hearts.
The main reason? Players are sick and tired of constantly paying to enjoy games.
In recent years, the demand for live-service titles has dropped drastically, forcing even giants like Sony to reconsider its once-grand plans for GaaS.
The past two years have had a particularly pronounced impact on the narrative that single-player titles don’t sell well.
In 2022, Elden Ring, God of War Ragnarök, Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, Pokémon Legends: Arceus, and Horizon Forbidden West topped the sales charts in the United States. Then, just last year, Hogwarts Legacy outsold every game globally, with 22 million copies sold. Next to it? The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, which saw 21 million people enjoy the sequel to one of the most influential titles of all time.
This is just at the top. Many games outside of the Top 10 globally are single-player. Last year, a deluge of AAA single-player games like Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon, Final Fantasy 16, Resident Evil 4, and Alan Wake 2 all made their mark.
Going back to Steam, Valve’s digital games distribution platform has seen a growing number of single-player titles populate its “Most Played Games” list in the past two years alone.
This trend will only continue. Earlier this year, games such as Stellar Blade and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth showed that developers are finding an increasing number of ways to to enjoy their creative freedom in making single-player projects. Without having to deal with the constraints of balancing multiplayer elements, they can focus on crafting unique gameplay mechanics and innovative designs. Developers are using this opportunity to constantly push boundaries, experimenting with unique gameplay systems, and, in turn, delivering unforgettable experiences.
While multiplayer games offer social interaction, the pandemic has highlighted the need for personal escape and solitary experiences. Single-player games provide an opportunity for players to immerse themselves in another world without the pressures of competing against others – a particularly appealing aspect in a world that’s become increasingly social.
Looking ahead, the future of single-player gaming appears bright. Developers are increasingly recognizing the demand for rich, narrative-driven experiences and are investing resources into creating high-quality titles.
As technology advances, we can expect even more sophisticated storytelling and world-building techniques that will further elevate single-player experiences.
With their focus on storytelling, exploration, and creative freedom, single-player titles are captivating audiences once again, adapting to player needs and thriving as the video game industry evolves.
