Black Myth Wukong, developed by Game Science, has made a remarkable debut in the gaming world. Inspired by Chinese mythology, this action RPG achieved a peak of over 2.2 million players within 24 hours of its launch on August 20, 2024. This not only sets a record for the highest peak of any single-player title on Steam but also makes it the second highest peak on the platform overall, only behind PUBG with 3.3 million players.
The game’s popularity is further evidenced by its average of 1.2 million players in the first 30 hours. This means that players have collectively spent 37.2 million hours exploring the captivating world of Black Myth Wukong.
Beyond the numbers, the game has garnered immense support from fans, reflected in its status as the top seller on Steam. Additionally, an impressive 97% of the game’s 180,000-plus reviews have been positive, highlighting the positive reception it has received.
However, the game has not been without its controversies. It received a visibility boost due to the culture war surrounding it. Critics accused the Chinese publisher of sexism and raised concerns about the creator review policies implemented by co-publisher Hero Games. The New York Times reported that creators were given a list of controversial subjects to avoid discussing, such as politics, feminist propaganda, covid, and China’s video game industry policies.
Despite these controversies, Black Myth Wukong has managed to win over fans, with both users and critics giving it a rating slightly above eight out of ten on Metacritic. This success is further evident in the massive viewership it has garnered on Twitch, with over 7 million hours of content watched since its launch.
The game’s rapid rise in popularity suggests that it may become the biggest hit of 2024. While Helldivers 2 currently tops the sales charts, and Palworld has set a high bar for Twitch viewership with 40 million hours watched in its first week, Black Myth Wukong shows tremendous potential to surpass them all.
Notably, the success of Black Myth Wukong signifies that Chinese studios can break into Western markets with domestically developed games. With its availability on PlayStation 5, Steam, Epic Games Store, and WeGame, the game has successfully reached a global audience.
In conclusion, Game Science’s Black Myth Wukong has made a groundbreaking impact in the gaming industry. Its impressive player count, positive reviews, and substantial viewership on Twitch highlight its potential to become a monumental success in 2024. This achievement not only solidifies the game’s position in the industry but also serves as a testament to the growing influence and quality of Chinese game development studios.
