The release of the highly anticipated Chinese video game Black Myth: Wukong has taken the gaming community by storm, selling over 4.5 million copies within just 24 hours of its release. The game, based on the classic 16th-century Chinese novel Journey to the West, features an anthropomorphic monkey with supernatural powers known as “the Destined One”.
Despite its success, the game has sparked controversy due to a list of topics sent to content creators to avoid while livestreaming the game, including “feminist propaganda, fetishisation, and other content that instigates negative discourse”. This directive has led to accusations of censorship and stifling of freedom of speech.
However, the controversy has not seemed to affect the game’s popularity, with Black Myth breaking records for the most-played single-player title ever released on Steam. The game’s success has been celebrated by fans worldwide, with many praising its high-end graphics and sophisticated game design.
Experts suggest that the controversy surrounding Black Myth may have been blown out of proportion, with the list of topics likely coming from the game’s publisher rather than Chinese officials. Despite the backlash, the game continues to be a huge success and a source of national pride in China, showcasing Chinese mythology and culture on an international stage.
