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 unveiling of "Black Myth: Zhong Kui" by Game Science at the Cologne Game Show marks a significant step in the global expansion of Chinese gaming, building on the success of "Black Myth: Wukong" and aiming to create a broader IP based on Chinese mythology [1][4][10]. Group 1: Game Development and Technology - "Black Myth: Zhong Kui" will utilize advanced technology, achieving a scene construction of tens of millions of polygons, enhancing visual experience and gameplay [2]. - The decision to develop a new title instead of a DLC for "Black Myth: Wukong" allows the team to explore differentiated gaming experiences and narrative styles, avoiding creative stagnation [2][4]. - The game is still in early development, with no actual gameplay content available yet, but a CG trailer has been released to signal the project's progress [7]. Group 2: Market Performance and Industry Context - "Black Myth: Wukong" has achieved over 30 million global sales, becoming the first Chinese AAA single-player game to reach such a milestone, with total revenue exceeding $961 million (approximately 6.79 billion RMB) [3][4]. - The Chinese gaming industry is witnessing a surge in AAA game development, with over 20 titles currently in development, reflecting a growing pursuit of high-quality gaming [8]. - The 2024 report indicates that the actual sales revenue of self-developed games in China is projected to reach 229.76 billion RMB, with a year-on-year growth of 12.65% [8]. Group 3: Future Prospects and Strategic Direction - Game Science aims to create a unique and captivating game with "Black Myth: Zhong Kui," viewing it as a potential milestone for the development of the Chinese gaming industry [10]. - The company emphasizes that the journey of "Journey to the West" is not over, indicating ongoing commitment to the original IP [11].