Core Insights - The "Gamescom" event, one of the world's three major gaming exhibitions, recently concluded in Cologne, Germany, attracting over 1,500 exhibitors from more than 70 countries, with a record 50 companies from China participating [1] Group 1: Chinese Game Companies - The Chinese game company "Game Science" showcased its new title "Black Myth: Zhong Kui," which became a highlight of the opening night, generating significant buzz on domestic social media [3] - "Game Science" previously released "Black Myth: Wukong," recognized as China's first "AAA" game, achieving both critical acclaim and strong sales, thus building a substantial fanbase [3] - The global influence of the "Black Myth" series is growing, with international gamers beginning to pay attention to China's "AAA" single-player games, as evidenced by the overseas interest in another upcoming title, "Shadow Blade Zero" [7] Group 2: Cultural Elements and Industry Reception - Many Chinese single-player games showcased at the event incorporate traditional Chinese cultural elements, reflecting a rich Eastern aesthetic in both art style and gameplay mechanics [9] - Industry professionals have praised Chinese games for developing a unique style, contributing fresh vitality to the gaming sector, with specific mention of inspiration drawn from Chinese mythology [11] - Approximately one-third of the companies at the event were from Germany, with a quarter from other European countries, while the presence of American and Japanese firms was notable; in contrast, Chinese gaming companies are still at the early stages of internationalization, indicating significant growth potential ahead [13]

Core Viewpoint - The rise of domestic "AAA" games in the international market is significantly influenced by unique Chinese cultural elements, with game developers leveraging advanced technology to integrate these cultural aspects into modeling, actions, and overall gaming experience [1]. Group 1: Game Development and Cultural Integration - Three domestic "AAA" games showcased at the Cologne Game Show highlight the use of advanced gaming technology to present Eastern aesthetics and tell Chinese stories, including "Black Myth: Wukong," "Shadow Blade Zero," and the new installment of "Gu Jian" [3]. - The development of "Gu Jian" has taken nearly two years and has now entered the mass production phase, with extensive testing conducted to vividly present Chinese elements in the game, such as the grass dragon inspired by traditional folk activities [5]. - The latest game engines and motion capture technologies have become standard for domestic "AAA" game developers, resulting in significant improvements in modeling precision and action effects [7]. Group 2: Industry Trends and Market Dynamics - The "AAA" game sector is characterized by long development cycles and substantial financial investments, with a surge in domestic "AAA" games reflecting a rapid influx of funding and adjustments within the industry chain since the "project boom" began in 2021 [9]. - The success of "Black Myth: Wukong" has attracted more attention to domestic "AAA" games, leading to a quick integration of the industry chain, with many companies previously engaged in foreign "AAA" game outsourcing now actively participating in domestic game production [9]. - At the recent Cologne Game Show, various "AAA" titles featuring local Chinese elements garnered significant interest from overseas players, indicating that domestic "AAA" games attract global audiences through solid content and unique cultural expressions rather than by deliberately catering to foreign markets [11].