The release of the Chinese video game Black Myth: Wukong has caused quite a stir, not just in the gaming community, but also in the realm of politics. The game, developed by Game Science in China, is the country’s first to meet Triple-A standards, making it a highly anticipated title worldwide. Players take on the role of the Monkey King from the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West, battling monsters in a fantastical world.
Despite the game’s lack of direct political content, Chinese commenters on a U.S.-based gaming discussion board took the opportunity to criticize the Chinese government and President Xi Jinping. This sparked a wave of comments calling for political change and mocking Xi’s policies. Such criticism is not allowed on China’s heavily censored internet, where dissenting voices are quickly silenced.
Surprisingly, even on the U.S.-based discussion board on Steam, where the critical comments were initially allowed, they were eventually removed. This move raised concerns about censorship and freedom of expression on the platform. While Steam’s rules do not explicitly prohibit political posts, the deletion of these comments has raised questions about the platform’s commitment to free speech.
The game itself has also faced controversy due to the developers‘ alleged sexist remarks. Feng Ji, the founder of Game Science, made lewd comments in a Weibo post, while the game’s artistic director, Yang Qi, expressed a dismissive attitude towards female players. These remarks drew criticism from female gamers and sparked a debate about gender representation in the gaming industry.
Despite these controversies, industry experts expect Black Myth: Wukong to be a commercial success. The game has already received high praise from reviewers in China and abroad, with IGN giving it a solid 8 out of 10. The Chinese version of IGN even awarded it a perfect score, hailing it as a strong contender for Game of the Year.
Overall, Black Myth: Wukong has the potential to change perceptions of Chinese games and culture on the global stage. Its high quality and success could help boost China’s international image and showcase the country’s capabilities in the gaming industry. While the game may have its flaws and controversies, its impact on the gaming world is undeniable.