Chinese-made video game Black Myth: Wukong, backed by Tencent Holdings Ltd., has achieved unprecedented success. In just 83 hours following its release, the game sold an astonishing 10 million copies, setting a new record for the fastest debut in industry history.
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Developer Game Science announced the milestone on X, previously known as Twitter. Tencent holds a 5% stake in Game Science, while South African company Naspers owns 24% of Tencent.
The game’s popularity surged, with peak concurrent users reaching 3 million across PC and PlayStation platforms. Black Myth: Wukong, an action-adventure title inspired by the legendary Monkey King, quickly became the most popular single-player game on Steam, outperforming highly anticipated titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Elden Ring.
The game’s success continued throughout the week, setting a new record for concurrent players on Steam. Priced at approximately $38 in mainland China and Hong Kong, compared to $60 in the US, Wukong is heavily focused on the local market.
The game’s creators expressed their love for China and its history, as evident in the beautifully recreated Chinese temples. Black Myth: Wukong turned a profit on its first day and generated over $450 million in gross revenue within the first three days of its release, according to analyst Daniel Ahmad.
Black Myth: Wukong has sold 10 million copies across all platforms.
— Black Myth: Wukong (@BlackMythGame) August 23, 2024
(Data as of 21:00 Beijing time, August 23, 2024)
Thanks to all players worldwide for your support and love.
Have a great gaming weekend!#BlackMythWukong pic.twitter.com/mp3mk9JxrX
Sony Group Corp. capitalized on Wukong’s launch by running a sales promotion for its PlayStation 5 in China. The console quickly sold out in stores, reflecting the strong demand generated by the game’s popularity.
Considering sales across Steam, PlayStation 5, and Tencent’s WeGame, Wukong has surpassed the 10 million copies milestone at a faster pace than Elden Ring and Hogwarts Legacy, both considered major successes in their own right.
The strong performance of Black Myth: Wukong has boosted expectations for the Chinese gaming market, which has faced regulatory challenges in recent years. This summer marked an unusually active period for major game releases, with Tencent’s DnF Mobile, NetEase Inc.’s Naraka: Bladepoint Mobile, and Mihoyo’s ZZZ also making significant debuts.
Developed by Hangzhou-based Game Science, Wukong stands as the largest PC launch in Chinese history.
