The Weekly Bit

August 21, 2024

It is time for another Weekly Bit, this time combining recent news with a nod to the past.

Black Myth: Wukong seems to become the “biggest” game of 2024, at least if we look at the numbers of concurrent players. Stomping records of powerhouses like Elden Ring, even outright beating multiplayer surprise hit Palworld, with a peek of 2,223,179 players simultaneously engaged in a single-player game.

The game is heavily inspired by the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. This 16th-century tale, attributed to Wu Cheng’en, follows the legendary pilgrimage of the Buddhist monk Xuanzang and his three supernatural disciples, including the iconic Monkey King, Sun Wukong. The story is a complex blend of adventure, spirituality, and moral teachings.

Despite its overwhelming popularity in East Asia, millions of people ─ players ─ around the globe experience this famous novel for the very first time. However, while Black Myth: Wukong has captured global attention, it’s worth noting that it’s not the first game to draw from this rich source material. Another notable title is Fantasy Westward Journey, an MMORPG that has been a cultural phenomenon in China for nearly two decades.

Launched in 2001 by NetEase, Fantasy Westward Journey reimagines the world of Journey to the West as a vast online realm. It took the rich narrative of Journey to the West and translated it into a turn-based MMORPG format that resonated deeply with Chinese gamers. The game’s strong connection to traditional Chinese culture, combined with its engaging gameplay, allowed it to build a large and loyal player base.

Players choose from various classes inspired by characters from the novel and embark on their own fantastical adventures. The game’s charming, cartoon-like art style and accessibility have contributed to its enduring popularity, with millions of active players even today. In an industry often dominated by Western titles, the success of these Chinese games highlights the importance of stories that are deeply connected to cultural heritage, globally.