Black Myth: Wukong Sets Record with 10M Units Sold in First Week

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23 Aug 2024

In a remarkable debut, Black Myth: Wukong has made waves in the gaming industry, achieving a staggering 10 million units sold within its first week. This impressive figure places it firmly in the spotlight, as highlighted by industry analyst Daniel Ahmad on X, “The Everything App.” Such a performance not only sets a new record but also eclipses some of the most significant game releases in recent years.

Comparative Sales Performance

To put this achievement into perspective, consider that Black Myth: Wukong is on track to surpass the 19 million players mark achieved within two weeks by its predecessors. It has quickly ascended to become the #2 most-played game in Steam’s history based on concurrent players. Previously, it held the title of the most wishlisted game on the platform, a spot that was relinquished following the unfortunate fate of The Day Before.

Critics have praised Wukong for its engaging gameplay, with PC Gamer associate editor Tyler Colp awarding it an impressive 87% in his review. He commended the game for offering a more accessible take on the beloved Souls-style combat, setting itself apart from the genre’s traditional giants like FromSoftware. The whimsical and magical elements described in the game evoke comparisons to the most entertaining quests from the Witcher series, where players encounter quirky characters such as trolls and forest sprites.

Regional Popularity and Impact

The driving force behind Wukong’s sales success can be traced back to its immense popularity in China, where developer Game Science is headquartered. According to an in-depth analysis by Niko, a games industry analyst firm, an astounding 93% of the game’s Steam reviews are written in simplified Chinese. Furthermore, the game’s launch on August 20 resulted in Steam breaking its previous download bandwidth record—previously set during the launch of Cyberpunk—by an impressive 28 terabytes per second, with 82% of that traffic coming from East Asia.

Gameplay videos and previews of Wukong have also captured significant attention on Chinese social media platforms, particularly bilibili, further fueling its success. As the Chinese gaming industry continues to explore high-budget releases like Wukong, we can anticipate more success stories on the horizon. One such upcoming title is Mecha Break, a live service multiplayer shooter that promises to deliver high production values and a unique Gundam-inspired twist on the hero shooter genre.

What is black myth wukong based on?

Black Myth: Wukong is based on the classic Chinese novel "Journey to the West," which was written during the Ming dynasty by Wu Cheng'en. The story follows the adventures of the Monkey King, Sun Wukong, who is a central character in the game. The game incorporates many elements and characters from the novel, blending them with Chinese mythology and folklore to create a rich narrative and immersive world.

What is black myth wukong?

Black Myth: Wukong is an upcoming action-adventure role-playing game developed by Chinese indie studio Game Science. The game is heavily inspired by Chinese mythology and is set in a fantasy world that draws from the classic 16th-century novel "Journey to the West." Players assume the role of Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, and utilize his supernatural abilities to battle various enemies. The game features high-end graphics, dynamic combat, and an engaging storyline influenced by traditional Chinese literature.
Update: 23 Aug 2024