Blockbuster Chinese video game tried to police players - and divided the internet

The recent release of the video game Black Myth: Wukong has taken the gaming world by storm, achieving remarkable success in a very short period. Within just 24 hours of its launch, the game sold over 4. 5 million copies and became the second most-played game on the popular streaming platform Steam, with more than 2. 1 million players online at the same time. The game features an anthropomorphic monkey character and is based on the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West, which is a significant piece of literature in Chinese culture. However, the game's release was not without controversy, as the company behind it issued a list of topics that players were advised to avoid discussing during livestreams. These topics included 'feminist propaganda' and other subjects that could lead to negative discussions. Despite the backlash, the game has been celebrated for its high-quality graphics and engaging gameplay, marking it as the first AAA title from the Chinese video game industry. Black Myth: Wukong allows players to step into the shoes of 'the Destined One,' a monkey with supernatural abilities inspired by the legendary character Sun Wukong, also known as the Monkey King. This character is central to the Journey to the West, a story that draws from various elements of Chinese mythology, Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. The novel has inspired countless adaptations in films, television shows, and animated series worldwide, including the well-known Japanese anime Dragon Ball Z and the 2008 film The Forbidden Kingdom. The anticipation for Black Myth began in August 2020 when a teaser trailer was released, and after four years of development, the game finally launched to eager fans. The combination of stunning graphics, intricate game design, and the sheer size of China's gaming community, which is the largest in the world, has contributed to the game's success. Haiqing Yu, a professor at RMIT University in Australia, noted that Black Myth is not just a game for Chinese players; it has attracted a global audience interested in Chinese culture. This has sparked a sense of national pride in China, as the game showcases Chinese stories on an international platform. The Department of Culture and Tourism in Shanxi Province, where many locations from the game are based, even released a promotional video highlighting real-world attractions, leading to a surge in tourism dubbed 'Wukong Travel. ' Videos on social media platforms like TikTok have shown tourists flocking to temples and shrines featured in the game, which some have described as a 'successful example of cultural rediscovery. ' Niko Partners, a research firm focused on the Asian video game market, emphasized that Black Myth serves as a means to present Chinese mythology, traditions, and real-life locations to a global audience. However, the game has also ignited debates regarding censorship and freedom of speech. Prior to the game's release, some content creators revealed that a company associated with the game's developer had sent them a list of topics to avoid discussing during livestreams, including 'feminist propaganda,' politics, and China's video game industry policies. This directive, which was widely circulated on social media, has raised concerns about the potential for censorship and the suppression of free expression. Some content creators chose to defy these warnings, with one streamer, Moonmoon, humorously titled their Twitch stream 'Covid-19 Isolation Taiwan (Is a Real Country) Feminism Propaganda. ' Another streamer, Rui Zhong, openly discussed China's one-child policy while playing the game. In response to these discussions, the Chinese social media platform Weibo banned 138 users for violating its guidelines when discussing Black Myth. According to a report from the state-run Global Times, many of those banned were accused of straying from the game's content and using it as a platform for spreading 'gender opposition' and other controversial comments. Despite the controversies surrounding its release, Black Myth has enjoyed overwhelming success. The game generated $53 million in presales and sold an additional 4. 5 million copies within the first day. It also set a record for the most-played single-player game ever on Steam. On various platforms like Weibo, Reddit, and YouTube, many comments celebrate the game's achievements, with some suggesting that the fallout from the controversies has been exaggerated. Professor Yu described Black Myth as an 'industry and overall market success,' emphasizing that while discussions of censorship are common in Chinese digital media, the game represents a successful way to share Chinese stories and culture with the world. She believes that the list of topics to avoid likely originated from the company trying to protect itself rather than from government directives. This reflects a common practice among companies to take precautions to avoid potential issues, which is often seen as a politically correct gesture rather than a genuine attempt to censor discussions.