210°

Why is this Chinese video game causing such a stir?

BBC news:

The hugely popular Black Myth: Wukong has attracted some press for the wrong reasons.

Cockney268d ago

At last, the opinion we've all been holding out for

CrimsonWing69268d ago (Edited 268d ago )

I’m more curious about how barely any other region counts towards the Steam stats and 90% of all players seem to be from China when no other games in the history of the industry has done these numbers in China.

Where are the sales data besides taking someone’s word for it? I’ve seen China doing bot farms, is there any way that this could be the case to skew the data/stats? Does their government have a stake and sponsorship in the company? Is it not odd that the majority of gamers start and stop at the exact same time?

Look, I’m playing and love the game, but things feel very odd with the player stats, sales, and a lot surrounding the success of the game.

Einhander1972268d ago (Edited 268d ago )

You actually doubt that the game is selling well in China?

It's based on Journey to the West one of the most popular folklore stories in China and Asia and they have billions of potential customers. And, it's not just Steam, PS5 has sold out across the country and when I went to the store page which is sorted by revenue Wukong is number 1 even beating out Fortnite. And nothing started and stopped at the same time, the game was put online then everyone started playing it at the same time.

It's selling as well as reported.

CrimsonWing69268d ago

I dunno, man. There’s a limit to how much time you can play a game in China if you’re under the age of 18. There’s literal bot farmers in China, so it’d be easy to skew data. The start and stop times for the player data is a little odd. No other game ever reaching these heights in the history of gaming is weird when it happens to be the country’s first AAA game… like, what other game has done this or will do it again? This is a super niche game, how much are the sales by territory?

https://mustsharenews.com/b...

This states companies in China were suspended to support the game… which seems very China-esque to do if you associate this with nationalism.

It’s a fantastic game, but there’s some weirdness with the amount of success when you start looking deeper.

Einhander1972268d ago

I am not going to entertain conspiracy when the when the logical answer is simply that the game sold well because people bought a heavily publicized game.

268d ago Replies(3)
GamingSinceForever267d ago

What is that supposed to mean?

NotoriousWhiz267d ago

Americans pull theories out of their ass and call it: "independent thinking"

Hotpot268d ago (Edited 268d ago )

It's a mystery to you that the 1st breakout AAA game from china using their most famous folklore story, gets supported by their MOST POPULOUS country in the world?

idk what the normal western people view of china is, but I've been there on vacation last year and they're one of the, if not the current most prosperous and advanced country in the world. Yes, shocking to me too, but we need to start seeing them on par if not better than US and Europe.

Yes, surprise, they're not all tyrant government enforcing rules and robotic citizens doing all their government bidding. Shady yes, but prosperous af, at least the cities that I've visited.

repsahj268d ago

So if an American game is bought by many people in America itself, it is no longer counted as successful?

CrimsonWing69267d ago (Edited 267d ago )

If it’s legit, sure. That’s all I’m saying. If somehow our country fibs the data and skews it to try and pull a “we need to get to the moon at any cost over the other countries even if it means we lie about it,” and we do something that’s not legitimate to make it look like we were successful, then no, I wouldn’t count that as “successful.”

267d ago Replies(1)
267d ago Replies(1)
PhillyDonJawn267d ago (Edited 267d ago )

I knew something was up. Cause them stats made no sense

267d ago
+ Show (5) more repliesLast reply 267d ago
PrecursorOrb268d ago

Media that wants clickbait exists

Knightofelemia268d ago

If people are going to get butt hurt over certain topics then don't buy or play the game. I am tired of censored shit and woke agenda crap. Just enjoy the game and play the game I am enjoying it.

thorstein267d ago (Edited 267d ago )

That isn't even what they are talking about.

China is telling streamers they are not allowed to talk about an entire laundry list of topics including "Covid, Taiwan is a real country, fetishes, China's one child policy, politics, personal attacks," etc etc while streaming the game. This is how autocracies work. People don't have freedom to criticize.

Trilithon268d ago

games seems overly hyped up for some reason. I feel like other games that were more enjoyable didn't get as much hype.

attilayavuzer267d ago

Just because it's doing crazy numbers outside of the western market. By all accounts it seems to be a fairly straightforward souls-like(ish) with a good presentation and fair amount of technical issues. People are latching onto the fact that it's outpacing Elden Ring etc. It's kind of like finding out the most followed artist on Spotify is Indian.

267d ago Replies(2)
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240°

The Physical Release Of Black Myth: Wukong Performed So Well It Saved Businesses, Says Publisher

As more and more games go digital-only, Black Myth: Wukong's physical publisher says it performed so well that it saved some businesses.

Read Full Story >>
thegamer.com
Nyxus15d ago

Good to see physical still doing well!

dantesparda15d ago

So fix the performance on PS5/Pro. With up all that ghosting and dithering, improve the performance!

FPSRUSSIA15d ago

it would of sold even more Physical if it released day one but still Great News.

Yi-Long15d ago

The industry wants to push the narrative that physical is on its way out and gamers prefer digital. Fact is that many gamers simply have less and less options to buy physical, so they’re stuck with either digital, or nothing.

Many gamers still prefer physical, especially for SP games. Games without ‘always online’ or other kinds of anti-consumer DRM.

I hope they’ll release a complete edition (physical) for Wukong once the announced DLC comes out.

OptimusDK15d ago

I totally get it, but dont know if i really matters as most games now do not hold the actual game, or at least a very early version without day one patches.

They are often just a licence to download the actual game. Unfortunately it is not like in the old days, if you just had the game you can play the game no matter what.

Nyxus15d ago

That goes for some games but there are still plenty for which this isn't the case: https://www.doesitplay.org/

jznrpg15d ago

Most games are on disc.

gold_drake15d ago

yeh i hate it too, if they'd give us actual numbers on how much it costs to print themz id be more inclined to beliebe it, but otherwise, nah no way.

kayoss15d ago

I try to buy physical PS5 games when possible. Physical add an extra cost to the developers. However, the fact that digital cost the same as a physical version of the game makes no sense to me. The only games i will buy digital are Nintendo Switch games, those cartridges are small and i lost/misplaced a few already.

senorfartcushion15d ago

Every game that sells well "saves businesses" nowadays - based on how many studios suffer layoffs due to a game not skyrocketing to success, that is.

Popsicle15d ago (Edited 15d ago )

I waited for the physical release to purchase this. If it didn’t get a physical release I had already made up my mind that I was fine skipping it.

I know I am fighting a losing battle because an all digital future is inevitable, but I only purchase physical and will continue doing so.

kayoss15d ago

You will be surprised. Games are getting bigger in size and we all know that console dont provide you with that much hard drive space. I know you can just delete the game from your harddrive to save space and re-install whenever, but me having a physical insure that i can install anytime i want, even if they they take the game off their digital stores.

ravens5214d ago (Edited 14d ago )

Exactly. I do the same. Only digital games I have are from ps+, and I don't consider those owned. As soon as I don't renew,those games are inaccessible.

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260°

Leadership Spotlight: A Conversation with Phil Rosenberg

After a magnificent 20-year tenure with Sony Interactive Entertainment, Phil Rosenberg, SVP of Global Partner Development and Relations, recently announced that he is bidding adieu at the end of 2025. Phil has been a stalwart and integral part of growing the PlayStation brand and, along with this team, has worked tirelessly over the years to ensure all gamers enjoy a vibrant experience on a variety of PlayStation products.

Read Full Story >>
sonyinteractive.com
Cockney52d ago

"it’s a story that I’m sure won’t go away any time soon"
It might if you'd let it

danno_omen52d ago

We don’t control who suddenly decides to bring it up in interviews lol

lukasmain52d ago

It's pure speculation on behalf of the author of this opinion piece and it hold no weight at all.

InUrFoxHole51d ago

@lukasmain
Im curious how you can make that comment when he specifically mentions Blackmyth? No weight at all? Either...
A. You can't read
B. You're letting blind loyalty take point
C. You just didn't read it
D. You're trolling

pwnmaster300052d ago

There really wasn’t no suggestion.
Just pure speculation as usual.

Lightning7751d ago

It's in the interview. He said it.

lukasmain51d ago

He never suggested a special exclusivity deal. Far from it. The author is just speculating.

Lightning7751d ago (Edited 51d ago )

@Main I quoted Rosenberg at the bottom he said it himself on the interview that him and guys go out and find hidden gems. This interview wouldn't mean much but Black Myth was supposed to release simultaneously along with the Xbox version unfortunately, it didn't. Got taken off and GS said it was the S. MS said there was a deal in place. If he's going out and finding niche or "hidden gems" BMW should of released only on PS5 since its considered a hidden gem that could only be played on PS console just like the rest of the other games he mentioned. The game was announced awhile ago as a multiplat. The S of late has been holding its own with third party and 1st party games. It's also clear that the S did have issues for awhile also and maybe GS really can't optimize for the console. I'm just exploring every possibility.

Hmm, I dunno at the end of the day. The S has been performing well optimization wise lately. I dunno it's hard to tell anymore what's, what.

-Foxtrot52d ago (Edited 52d ago )

There is no way in high hell Sony would pay money for this, something so successful and not advertise it as an exclusive console game. There's just no way, they've done it for everything else, why would they not do it for this.

It's people who can't let a story go, there's no deal, they just probably supported a new Chinese studio with their China Hero Project and give them tools to help develop on their console. If Microsoft came along and offered them the same tools early on for their console I'm sure Sony wouldn't bat an eyelid.

Sony took a chance on a new studio early on and they benefitted from it, that's their reward.

52d ago Replies(2)
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140°

Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 receives most nominations at this year's BAFTA Games Awards

Ninja Theory's Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 is the most-nominated game at this year's BAFTA Games Awards, with 11 nominations.

However, the Cambridge-based studio's action-adventure game has missed out on a Best Game nomination; instead the nominees are Black Myth: Wukong, Helldivers 2, Thank Goodness You're Here!, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, Astro Bot, and Balatro.

Read Full Story >>
eurogamer.net
Cacabunga76d ago

….. for the world’s most boring game

1Victor76d ago

And we would’ve getaway with it if it wasn’t for those pesky kids games.
Congrats to NT on their 11 nominations I wish them good luck 👍👍

thesoftware73076d ago

Beautiful game, love the series, and the character!

Well crafter and well done.

Toecutter0076d ago

Good. The game is unique, heartfelt, and beautiful. Yes, the mechanics are rather simplistic. But the teams dedication to storytelling is on full display. It's definitely not for everyone, but it won't disappoint those who appreciate video games that push the boundaries of the medium.

Alos8876d ago

More like pushes the boundary of how short a game can be while still charging fifty quid

InUrFoxHole76d ago

Love the game. Beautiful looking, game play was solid and it didn't over stay it's welcome.

PrinceOfAnger76d ago

Good game with the best graphics and animation I've seen this gen. They need to focus more on the gameplay though if there is HB3.

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