Core Viewpoint - The company Game Science is taking a bold step by introducing the lesser-known character Zhong Kui to the global gaming stage, following the success of Wukong, raising questions about its ambitions and courage in unfamiliar markets [1] Group 1 - Game Science is venturing into new territory by not following the established path of Wukong, instead opting to showcase Zhong Kui, which may confuse overseas players [1] - The decision to feature Zhong Kui reflects Game Science's ambition to innovate and explore new narratives within the gaming industry [1] - There is uncertainty regarding the potential success of this strategy in foreign markets, as it diverges from the more familiar character of Wukong [1]

Core Viewpoint - The announcement of the new IP "Black Myth: Zhong Kui" by Game Science has generated significant excitement, following the success of "Black Myth: Wukong," which sold 28 million copies and generated revenue of 9 billion yuan within six months of its release [1][2]. Group 1: Game Performance and Market Impact - "Black Myth: Wukong" is recognized as China's first AAA game, with a production cost exceeding 300 million yuan and a development time of 6.5 years, leading to substantial profits [2]. - The release of "Zhong Kui" has positively impacted the A-share gaming sector, which rose by 1.46% on the announcement day, with some stocks hitting the daily limit [1]. - The success of "Wukong" has set a precedent, and if "Zhong Kui" maintains similar quality, it could push the domestic single-player game market to surpass 10 billion yuan [1]. Group 2: Cultural and Creative Aspects - The core strength of "Black Myth: Wukong" lies in its rich Chinese cultural resources and IP, with over 40% of overseas players discussing its narrative and character development, indicating a high acceptance of Chinese cultural content in international markets [2]. - "Zhong Kui" offers a unique opportunity for innovation, as its story is well-known domestically but less familiar internationally, allowing for creative reinterpretation [2]. - Game Science is expanding its IP boundaries by constructing a "Black Myth Universe," with trademarks for "Zhong Kui," "Jiang Ziya," and "Xiao Qian" registered alongside "Wukong" as early as 2020 [2]. Group 3: Future Prospects - The approach of using modern technology to reshape traditional stories could serve as a potential model for other cultural and creative sectors, demonstrating how to effectively communicate traditional culture in a contemporary context [3].

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the articles revolves around the anticipation and excitement generated by the new game "Black Myth: Zhong Kui," following the success of "Black Myth: Wukong," which sold 28 million copies and generated revenue of 9 billion [1][2] - The gaming industry is witnessing a significant shift with the introduction of new IPs, as "Black Myth: Zhong Kui" aims to leverage rich Chinese cultural resources and storytelling, potentially expanding the market for domestic single-player games beyond 10 billion [1][2] - The success of "Black Myth: Wukong" has set a precedent for high-quality Chinese games, with a production cost exceeding 300 million and a development time of over 6 years, indicating a profitable return on investment [2] Group 2 - The overseas revenue for self-developed Chinese games has surpassed 9.5 billion in the first half of the year, with a year-on-year growth of over 11%, suggesting a strong global market for Chinese gaming content [2] - The gaming company is exploring the creation of a "Black Myth Universe," with trademarks for various characters already registered, indicating a strategic approach to expand its intellectual property and cultural storytelling [2] - The potential of "Black Myth: Zhong Kui" to innovate and engage with global audiences is highlighted, as it seeks to modernize traditional Chinese stories using advanced technology and universal narratives [3]

Core Viewpoint - The announcement of "Black Myth: Zhong Kui" signifies a shift in the game's narrative focus from the well-known "Journey to the West" to a more diverse exploration of Chinese folklore, indicating a broader ambition for the "Black Myth" brand [27][34]. Summary by Sections Introduction - Game Science has revealed a new project titled "Black Myth: Zhong Kui" on a significant date, raising questions about the choice of Zhong Kui over anticipated DLC for "Black Myth: Wukong" [2][4]. Background of Zhong Kui - Zhong Kui is a prominent figure in Chinese folklore, known for his role in exorcising demons, with historical roots tracing back to ancient artifacts and evolving through various dynasties [6][11]. - The character's transformation from a mythological figure to a deity has been documented in historical texts, establishing a rich narrative foundation for the game [8][11]. Cultural Significance - Zhong Kui's image has been adapted in various forms of media, including television and games, showcasing his versatility and appeal as a character suitable for adaptation [14][17]. - The character's duality as both a scholar and a demon hunter provides a compelling narrative framework that can be explored in gameplay [20][25]. Gameplay Potential - The game can leverage the vast array of supernatural beings from Chinese mythology, offering diverse gameplay experiences centered around investigation, combat, and capturing spirits [24][25]. - Zhong Kui's character design allows for a blend of combat styles and magical abilities, enhancing the gameplay mechanics and player engagement [25][22]. Development Insights - The decision to develop "Black Myth: Zhong Kui" instead of DLC for "Black Myth: Wukong" reflects Game Science's commitment to creative exploration and innovation, prioritizing new narratives over established ones [30][34]. - The development timeline for "Zhong Kui" is expected to be extensive, potentially taking around three years, indicating a careful approach to quality and storytelling [39][40].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the announcement of the new game "Black Myth: Zhong Kui" by Game Science, highlighting the significance of the character Zhong Kui in Chinese folklore and the potential for the game to explore a rich narrative and gameplay mechanics based on this character [3][31]. Summary by Sections Announcement and Context - Game Science revealed "Black Myth: Zhong Kui" on a significant date, raising questions about the choice of Zhong Kui over a DLC for "Black Myth: Wukong" [3][5]. - Zhong Kui is a well-known figure in Chinese folklore, often associated with exorcising evil spirits, but may not be as universally recognized as characters from "Journey to the West" [6][14]. Historical Background of Zhong Kui - The name "Zhong Kui" has historical roots, originally referring to a ritual object used for exorcism, known as "Zhong Kui" derived from "Zhong Kui" [8][13]. - The evolution of Zhong Kui from a ritual object to a deity spans a long history, with significant cultural references from the Han to the Song dynasties [9][13]. Cultural Significance and Adaptation - Zhong Kui's character has been depicted in various forms of literature and media, suggesting a rich potential for adaptation in gaming [19][20]. - The character's duality as a tragic hero and a powerful exorcist provides a compelling narrative framework for the game [27][39]. Gameplay Potential - The game can leverage the diverse array of supernatural beings from Chinese mythology, offering a vast enemy material library for gameplay [29]. - Zhong Kui's character allows for a blend of combat and magical abilities, enhancing gameplay depth and player engagement [29][30]. Development Insights - The decision to create a new game rather than a DLC reflects Game Science's ambition to build a broader "Black Myth Universe," indicating a shift towards more complex storytelling and gameplay mechanics [39][40]. - The development timeline for "Black Myth: Zhong Kui" is expected to be around three years, with a potential release in 2028, suggesting a more streamlined development process compared to "Black Myth: Wukong" [45].

Core Viewpoint - The success of "Black Myth: Wukong" has significantly impacted the Chinese AAA game market, leading to increased confidence among local developers and a surge in interest for new projects within the industry [10][16]. Sales and Market Impact - "Black Myth: Wukong" achieved remarkable sales, with 20 million copies sold in the first month and over 30 million in the first year, setting records for both Chinese and global sales in the buyout game category [7][10]. - The game generated substantial buzz, with related content on Bilibili reaching nearly 700 million views and tickets for its themed concerts selling out quickly [11]. - The game's IP has seen explosive commercial value, with collaborations leading to significant revenue, such as a jewelry line generating over 150 million RMB in retail value [12]. Cultural and Tourism Influence - The game has also enhanced the cultural and tourism sectors, with a notable increase in visitor numbers to sites featured in the game, such as a 46.9% rise in tourist visits to relevant attractions in Shanxi Province during the 2024 National Day holiday [15]. Future Developments - Game Science is shifting focus from DLC for "Black Myth: Wukong" to developing a new title, "Black Myth: Zhong Kui," which will explore new heroes, gameplay, and visual styles [9][22]. - The new project is still in its early stages, with the team emphasizing a transparent development process and avoiding overcommitment [9][10]. Industry Confidence - The success of "Black Myth: Wukong" has encouraged other developers to invest in AAA titles, with several new projects announced by various companies, indicating a growing trend in the Chinese gaming industry [15].

Core Insights - The journey of game development can lead to feelings of emptiness after achieving a long-awaited goal, as expressed by the founder of Game Science, Feng Ji, after the release of "Black Myth: Wukong" [1][2] - The unexpected announcement of a new project, "Black Myth: Zhong Kui," signifies a return to the core brand promise of the "Black Myth" universe, rather than just focusing on the character Wukong [2][10] Company Background - Game Science was founded in 2014 by Feng Ji and Yang Qi after leaving a large gaming company, aiming to create a more idealistic and ambitious gaming experience [4][6] - The company initially found success with two online games, which provided the financial backing to pursue their dream project, "Black Myth: Wukong," starting in 2018 [6][8] Project Development - The development of "Black Myth: Wukong" was marked by significant challenges, including technical and talent acquisition hurdles, which were addressed by releasing a groundbreaking gameplay demonstration in August 2020 [6][8] - The release date for "Black Myth: Wukong" is set for August 20, 2024, marking a significant milestone in Chinese gaming history [8] Brand Evolution - The "Black Myth" brand is intended to be a broader universe, with Wukong as the first hero, and aims to explore complex narratives rather than being limited to a single character [10][11] - The new project "Black Myth: Zhong Kui" is expected to shift the narrative focus from grand mythological themes to more localized folklore, indicating a strategic evolution in storytelling [14]

Core Viewpoint - Game Science has announced a new title in the Black Myth series, "Black Myth: Zhong Kui," which is not a direct sequel to "Black Myth: Wukong" but features a new protagonist and storyline [1][3]. Development Status - "Black Myth: Zhong Kui" is still in the early stages of development, with no confirmed release date yet [3][4]. Reason for Not Creating Wukong 2 - The success of "Black Myth: Wukong," which sold over 23 million copies on Steam and won multiple awards, has led Game Science to explore a different direction rather than immediately developing a sequel [4][6]. - The team aims to create a more differentiated gaming experience and challenge conventional mechanics, indicating a desire for innovation in storytelling and gameplay [6][7]. Zhong Kui as a Character - Zhong Kui, a lesser-known figure compared to Wukong, originates from ancient Chinese folklore and is depicted as a ghost-catching deity [8][9]. - The character's rich background and lesser-explored narrative provide significant creative opportunities for Game Science, allowing for a deeper exploration of his story compared to the well-known tale of Wukong [12][14]. Game Features and Themes - "Black Myth: Zhong Kui" will maintain the standard single-player action RPG format, similar to its predecessor, but will introduce new heroes, gameplay mechanics, visuals, and storytelling [14][15]. - The game is expected to explore themes of morality and ethics, with Zhong Kui's role as a judge of spirits potentially leading to gameplay mechanics that involve moral choices and consequences [17][24]. Future of the Black Myth Series - Game Science is not abandoning the development of "Wukong 2" or its DLCs, but is focusing on upgrading the overall game system before returning to the Wukong storyline [22][24]. - The relationship between Wukong and Zhong Kui is seen as complementary, with both characters representing different aspects of justice and morality, which could enrich the narrative of the series [24][26].

Core Viewpoint - The announcement of "Black Myth: Zhong Kui" at the Cologne Game Show has raised questions about the choice of character and the absence of a DLC for "Black Myth: Wukong" [1][35][38] Group 1: Character and Cultural Background - Zhong Kui is a well-known figure in Chinese folklore, often associated with ghost-catching and exorcism [5][12] - The evolution of Zhong Kui from a tool used for exorcism to a personified deity spans a long historical timeline, with significant cultural references from various dynasties [6][11][30] - The character's image has been adapted in various forms of media, including television and games, indicating a rich potential for game adaptation [17][20][21] Group 2: Game Development and Strategy - The decision to develop "Black Myth: Zhong Kui" instead of a DLC for "Black Myth: Wukong" reflects the company's ambition to create a broader "Black Myth Universe" rather than relying on existing content [42][50] - The development of "Zhong Kui" allows for new gameplay mechanics and a different narrative focus, which could enhance player engagement [40][41][32] - The anticipated development timeline for "Zhong Kui" is expected to be around three years, with a potential release in 2028, indicating a longer wait compared to previous projects [49][48] Group 3: Gameplay and Mechanics - The core gameplay of "Black Myth: Zhong Kui" is expected to revolve around ghost-catching, providing a diverse range of enemies and challenges based on Chinese mythology [33][34] - The character's dual nature as both a scholar and a ghost-catcher allows for a rich gameplay experience that can blend action and strategy [32][33] - The game aims to explore deeper themes of justice and morality through the character's backstory, enhancing the narrative depth [30][31]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the announcement of the new game "Black Myth: Zhong Kui," which is the second installment in the Black Myth series, highlighting its significant debut at the 2025 Cologne Game Show and the excitement it has generated among players and the gaming community [1][3][40]. Group 1: Game Announcement and Reception - "Black Myth: Zhong Kui" is the second game in the Black Myth series, with its first CG teaser released at the 2025 Cologne Game Show [3][40]. - The teaser quickly gained popularity, reaching the top of Weibo's trending topics and accumulating over 8 million views shortly after its release [10][12]. - The game has sparked positive reactions from both domestic and international audiences, building on the success of its predecessor, "Black Myth: Wukong" [12][13]. Group 2: Game Development Insights - The development of "Black Myth: Zhong Kui" was influenced by a conversation between CEO Feng Ji and Art Director Yang Qi, leading to the decision to create a new game instead of a DLC for "Black Myth: Wukong" [30][32]. - The creative team aims to introduce new heroes, gameplay mechanics, visuals, technology, and stories in this new installment [32]. - The game's development began with a dream of a character riding a tiger, which inspired the design of Zhong Kui [24][25]. Group 3: Historical Context and Future Prospects - The company, Game Science, was founded in 2014 by Feng Ji and Yang Qi, with "Black Myth: Wukong" being conceptualized in 2016 and officially started in 2018 [34][36]. - "Black Myth: Wukong" received critical acclaim, winning the Best Visual Effects award at the Cologne Game Show in 2023, and is set to release on August 20, 2024 [37][38]. - The article expresses optimism for the future of "Black Myth: Zhong Kui," encouraging anticipation for its eventual release [42].