It takes more than one game to change an entire economy, but it’s also true that a single release is enough to start a shift in consumer behavior. There’s a long list of video game genres named after a single game, which later became a franchise. This is especially true in China, as the country’s multi-billion population contributes to how easily things can go viral.
Chinese gamers still strongly prefer mobile gaming experiences, with desktops and consoles making up less than a quarter of the market. However, the arrival of Black Myth: Wukong could change this.
After releasing on PS5 and PlayStation 5 on August 20, Game Science’s debut title has captured the attention of gamers all over the world, setting a new record on Steam with a multi-million-strong player count made up mostly of Chinese gamers. The game’s high production value—characterized by impressive graphics and high-quality animations—has attracted players seeking a visually stunning experience who appreciate deep storytelling.
In China, the action RPG title, which draws heavily from Journey to the West, a tale beloved in many Asian cultures, has made it extremely appealing to locals as it taps into the country’s rich cultural heritage.
Already, Black Myth: Wukong has made a significant impact on console sales. As per a Bloomberg report, the PS5 skyrocketed atop Aliliba’s Taotao e-commerce store in the week leading up to the game’s release.
We have no sales figures for the PS5 in China as of yet, but this month may result in a massive surge in console sales that could potentially carry over well into the holidays.
While Black Myth: Wukong is huge on Steam, it could potentially be a much larger draw on the PS5, as the steep requirements on the so-called master race might be a factor in forcing others to get a PS5 to enjoy it instead.
To run the game on desktops, players will need a PC with at least an Intel Core i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 1600 processor, along with 16GB of RAM and a high-performance graphics card like Nvidia’s 6GB GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD’s 8GB Radeon RX 580, and that’s the “Minimum” tier requirements.
Moreover, Black Myth: Wukong is more than just the hype surrounding it. It’s one of the best AAA titles of the year, with fluid combat systems and a lead character with unique abilities—seriously, how cool is it that you can transform into some of the game’s bosses after beating them?—that appeal to both action RPG enthusiasts and casual gamers.
Despite certain performance tradeoffs on PS5, it’s well-optimized enough to keep its players engaged from start to finish, and it will only get better as Game Science works out the game’s kinks.
Beyond the game’s performance and graphics, the success of games like Genshin Impact and Stellar Blade demonstrate a growing interest among gamers, not just in China.
By focusing on unique stories that move beyond traditional high-fantasy tropes, Black Myth: Wukong could help manufacturers tap into the broader Chinese market without alienating the rest of the world.
Remember that the PlayStation 5 Pro is coming soon. Its rumored capabilities might enhance the gameplay experience further by ensuring smooth performance and quick load times.
By heavily promoting Black Myth: Wukong as a launch title for the still-to-be-announced console, Sony can capitalize on the game’s popularity, especially in Asian markets where cultural narratives hold significant importance. The Japanese console manufacturer can use community engagement to leverage word-of-mouth, helping to position the PS5 Pro as the go-to platform for the game.
At this point, it’s still too early to tell if Black Myth: Wukong’s impact on the Chinese gaming landscape is temporary or if it will last, but you’d best bet it’s already turned many heads across China and beyond its borders.
