Core Insights - The release of the teaser for "Black Myth: Wukong" at the Cologne International Game Show highlights the growing popularity of Chinese games globally, marking a golden period for overseas expansion [1][2] - Chinese games are evolving from mere entertainment to cultural dialogue, utilizing rich narratives and aesthetics to engage global players [2] Group 1: Cultural Significance - Early Chinese games often relied on quick profits through "martial arts + thrill" or superficial adaptations of Western elements, leading to labels like "skin-swapping" and "IP imitation" [1] - "Black Myth" uses mythological narratives to convey humanistic themes, while "Yan Yun Sixteen Sounds" emphasizes Song Dynasty aesthetics, facilitating cross-cultural dialogue [1] Group 2: Technological Advancements - Previously, Chinese games were criticized for relying on commercial engines and copying overseas gameplay; however, "Black Myth" employs advanced technologies like virtual geometry and dynamic global illumination [1] - "Genshin Impact" showcases high-quality graphics and performance across multiple platforms using a self-developed engine, with AI integrated throughout the development process [1] Group 3: Industry Ecosystem - The success of Chinese games abroad is not limited to a few companies; it involves a collective effort with globalized thinking in game development and distribution [2] - The Chinese government is facilitating this growth by streamlining approval processes for game exports and providing support in areas like international compliance and intellectual property protection [2] - The industry is transitioning from merely exporting products to promoting cultural narratives, akin to the transformation seen in the Chinese mobile phone sector [2]

Group 1 - The gaming industry is receiving systematic policy support since 2025, enhancing its healthy development with initiatives like the "Special Action Plan to Boost Consumption" released in March, which promotes gaming and esports consumption [1] - Various regions including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, Zhejiang, Hainan, and Sichuan have introduced policies to support the gaming industry, providing strong backing for innovation and development [1] - Long-standing games and classic IPs remain crucial for gaming companies, serving as a stabilizing force while new gameplay trends emerge [1] Group 2 - Major companies are enhancing their long-term operational capabilities and increasing new product supply as dual engines for growth, with leading firms leveraging classic IPs and continuous content updates to build a solid performance foundation [1] - Tencent's products like "Honor of Kings" and "Peacekeeper Elite" continue to evolve, boosting user engagement and supporting revenue growth [1] - New game releases are being accelerated, with companies like NetEase expanding into single-player games and notable titles such as "Return to Tang" generating market interest [1][2]

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 Insights - The 2025 Cologne International Game Show will take place in Cologne, Germany, from August 20 to 24, and is recognized as Europe's largest and most authoritative interactive entertainment exhibition, focusing on game hardware, software, technology, and related content [1][3] Group 1: Exhibition Overview - The event attracted 1,500 exhibitors from 72 countries and regions, marking an 11% increase from the previous year, setting a historical record for the Cologne International Game Show [4] - The exhibition area reached a record 233,000 square meters, featuring various segments including interactive gaming experiences, cosplay performances, independent games, card games, artist zones, and merchandise sales [9] Group 2: Chinese Participation - Over 50 Chinese exhibitors participated, a 32% increase from last year, showcasing new titles such as Tencent's "Honor of Kings World," "Delta Action," and "Crossfire: Rainbow" [13] - The presence of Chinese games in Europe has significantly increased, with Germany being the largest game market in Europe, housing approximately 37.5 million gamers [17] Group 3: Awards and Recognitions - The mobile game "Love and Deep Space" by Paper Games won the Best Mobile Game award, becoming the first female-oriented game to achieve this honor at the Cologne Game Show [19] - Other notable nominations included "Genshin Impact" and "Tomorrow's Ark" for Best Mobile Game, and "Shadow Blade Zero" for Best Sound Effects [24][26] Group 4: Major Game Releases and Innovations - Tencent's TiMi Studio Group showcased several titles, including "Delta Action," which announced cross-platform support for PC, mobile, and console [26] - The new game "Black Myth: Zhong Kui" was unexpectedly revealed, focusing on a new hero and gameplay, although its release is projected to be three years away [29] Group 5: Japanese Dominance - Japanese companies excelled at the event, with Capcom winning multiple awards for "Resident Evil 9: Requiem," including Best Visual Effects and Best PlayStation Game [42] - Nintendo also received accolades for innovative gameplay with "Donkey Kong: Banana Power" and topped the Switch 2 sales chart with "Mario Kart: World" [46]

Core Insights - The 2025 Cologne International Game Show showcased a significant increase in the presence and influence of Chinese gaming companies, reflecting their growing confidence in entering the European market [1][2][4] Group 1: Chinese Game Presence - The number of Chinese exhibitors at the Cologne Game Show reached a record high of 50, with over 10 new companies participating [4] - Chinese game developers are increasingly focusing on original content, enhancing their international competitiveness in visual style, narrative logic, and gameplay mechanics [4] - The game "Black Myth: Wukong" by Game Science was highlighted, with its sequel "Black Myth: Zhong Kui" being a major attraction at the event [2][3] Group 2: Market Impact - Germany, as Europe's largest gaming market, has approximately 37.5 million gamers, with mobile and console platforms being the most popular [5] - Four Chinese-developed games are projected to enter the top ten mobile download rankings in Germany in 2024 [5] Group 3: Sino-European Cooperation - Chinese gaming companies are increasingly localizing their content and operations to better connect with European players, as seen with miHoYo's "Genshin Impact" [6] - Collaborations between Chinese and European game studios are on the rise, with Tencent showcasing multiple new titles developed in partnership with international IPs and studios [7] - The focus on high-quality localization and community building is seen as essential for success in the competitive European market [6][7]

Core Insights - The 2025 Cologne International Game Show, held from September 20 to 24, showcased a larger and more prominent presence of Chinese gaming companies, reflecting their growing confidence and influence in the European market [1][4]. Group 1: Chinese Presence and Popularity - The number of Chinese exhibitors at the Cologne Game Show reached a record high of 50, with over 1,500 exhibitors from more than 70 countries participating [4]. - Chinese games are increasingly well-received, with companies focusing on enhancing the quality of their original works, leading to higher international competitiveness and positive evaluations from overseas media and players [4]. - The game "Black Myth: Wukong" by Game Science gained significant attention, with its sequel "Black Myth: Zhong Kui" being highlighted as a major reveal at the event [2][3]. Group 2: Market Data and Trends - Germany, as Europe's largest gaming market, has approximately 37.5 million gamers, with mobile and console platforms being the most popular [5]. - In 2024, four games developed by Chinese companies are projected to enter the top ten mobile download rankings in Germany [5]. Group 3: Localization and Collaboration - Chinese gaming companies are adopting a global perspective, emphasizing localization and community engagement to resonate with European players [7]. - MiHoYo's game "Genshin Impact" exemplifies this trend by incorporating European cultural elements and actively engaging local players through events and themed cafes [7]. - Collaboration between Chinese and European game studios is increasing, with Tencent showcasing multiple new titles developed in partnership with international IPs and studios [8].

Core Viewpoint - The article provides a tutorial on how to use the Nano Banana model in LM Arena for creating character figures and enhancing images, particularly focusing on the game "Black Myth: Zhong Kui" [1][3]. Group 1: Tutorial Steps - Users need to access LM Arena and select the image modality to trigger the image model [3]. - After uploading an image, users can input prompt words to modify the image, such as adding a character riding a tiger and including game-related elements [3][4]. - The platform generates two images at a time, allowing users to select the best result, which may require multiple attempts to find the Nano Banana model [7]. Group 2: Enhancements and Effects - The article discusses transforming the generated images into videos to enhance visual appeal, using specific prompt words to create dynamic effects [10]. - A detailed description of the visual transformation process is provided, illustrating how the character figure transitions from a physical model to a CG representation [10]. - The final output can be further edited with music and original CG footage to create a more engaging experience [12]. Group 3: Results and Engagement - The article encourages users to experiment with the tutorial and share their results, fostering community engagement [13].

Group 1 - The Gamescom 2023, the largest gaming exhibition globally, opened in Cologne, Germany, with over 1,500 exhibitors from 72 countries, marking an 11% increase from last year [1] - More than 50 Chinese companies participated, including Tencent, MiHoYo, and others, representing a 32% increase in participation compared to the previous year [1] - The event featured the debut of the game "Black Myth: Wukong," which received enthusiastic applause during the Opening Night Live [1] Group 2 - Chinese companies, led by Tencent, have become key players at the Gamescom, with numerous booths attracting international gamers [2] - Tencent's VISVISE, an AI-driven creative solution for game art production, was globally unveiled at the event, covering various aspects of game development [2] - The presence of Chinese gaming companies is increasingly significant in the global gaming industry, contributing to industry advancements and becoming essential participants [2]

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].

Group 1 - The core announcement is the unveiling of the new game "Black Myth: Zhong Kui" by Game Science during the opening night of the 2025 Cologne Game Show, which quickly became a trending topic [1] - The release date for "Black Myth: Zhong Kui" is not yet determined, and the game is still in early development stages, with the team having just created the project folder [2] - "Black Myth: Zhong Kui" is a sequel to "Black Myth: Wukong," maintaining the same artistic style and setting based on Chinese mythology and folklore, and it will follow a similar business model as its predecessor [2] Group 2 - Game Science's CEO, Feng Ji, explained the decision to develop "Black Myth: Zhong Kui" instead of the anticipated DLC for "Black Myth: Wukong." He expressed that the success of "Wukong" exceeded expectations, leading the team to explore new directions and creative possibilities [4] - The team aims to introduce new heroes, gameplay mechanics, visuals, technology, and stories in "Black Myth: Zhong Kui," emphasizing a fresh start and bold experimentation [4] Group 3 - "Black Myth: Wukong" achieved significant commercial success, selling over 20 million copies in its first month after release, and it topped the sales charts for Chinese games in 2024 with total sales of 28 million copies and revenue of 9 billion yuan [6]