Tencent-Backed “Black Myth: Wukong” Becomes Most-Played Game

A newly launched video game, “Black Myth: Wukong,” has taken the gaming world by storm, becoming the most-played game on Steam’s popular online platform just hours after its release on Tuesday.

The game, developed by Tencent-backed startup Game Science, has quickly captured the attention of millions of players and brands alike.

Game Overview:

“Black Myth: Wukong” is an action-packed game based on the Chinese mythological figure Sun Wukong and the classic novel Journey to the West. First teased in 2020, it has been highly anticipated as a major Chinese-developed title.

Upon its launch, it topped Steam’s most-played games chart, with 1.4 million concurrent players, highlighting its global appeal.

Developer Background:

Game Science, a studio founded in 2014 by Feng Ji, a former Tencent employee, developed the game. The company has garnered significant backing from investors, including Chinese tech giant Tencent and mobile game publisher Hero Entertainment.

This financial support has allowed Game Science to produce “Black Myth: Wukong” as a high-budget title, setting a new standard for Chinese game development.

Market Impact:

Pre-orders for “Black Myth: Wukong” opened on June 8, and the game quickly topped Steam’s China sales chart for the week of August 6-13.

The game’s success has also made waves on social media, with the hashtag related to the game trending second on Weibo, China’s leading microblogging platform, accumulating 1.7 billion views.

Brand Collaborations:

The game’s immense popularity has attracted the attention of several major brands, which have incorporated elements from “Black Myth: Wukong” into their marketing strategies.

Companies like Lenovo Group, Luckin Coffee, and Didi have all launched promotional campaigns inspired by the game, further solidifying its cultural impact.