A Blockbuster Chinese Game Divides the Internet Over Content Restrictions
The highly anticipated Black Myth: Wukong has taken the gaming world by storm, setting records while also sparking a heated debate over content censorship.
Within 24 hours of its release, the game became the second most-played game in Steam history, with 2.1 million concurrent players and over 4.5 million copies sold. However, controversy erupted when its developers issued guidelines restricting streamers from discussing topics like feminism, fetishization, and political discourse.
🎮 What is Black Myth: Wukong?
Black Myth: Wukong is a single-player action RPG based on the legendary 16th-century Chinese novel Journey to the West.
Players take on the role of “The Destined One”, an anthropomorphic monkey with supernatural powers, inspired by the Monkey King, Sun Wukong.
The novel, one of China’s greatest literary works, draws heavily from Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhist folklore, and has influenced pop culture globally, including Dragon Ball Z and The Forbidden Kingdom.
With AAA-quality graphics, intricate gameplay mechanics, and a massive Chinese fanbase, the game is being hailed as a milestone for China’s gaming industry on the world stage.
🌍 Why is Black Myth a Global Phenomenon?
Originally announced in August 2020, the game generated massive excitement with a viral teaser trailer. Now, after four years of anticipation, it has become China’s first major AAA gaming release, gaining international acclaim.
🎮 Key Factors Behind Its Success:
✅ High-end graphics and immersive storytelling
✅ First-ever AAA Chinese game targeting a global audience
✅ Massive support from China’s gaming community—the largest in the world
✅ Strong national pride over a Chinese story reaching global audiences
The Shanxi Department of Culture and Tourism even released a video showcasing real-world locations featured in the game, sparking a tourism boom known as “Wukong Travel”.
Social media is flooded with videos of tourists flocking to temples and shrines that appear in the game, turning it into a cultural rediscovery moment for China.
🔥 The Controversy: Content Censorship and Free Speech
Despite its record-breaking success, Black Myth: Wukong has faced backlash after streamers and content creators received a list of prohibited topics from Hero Games, a company affiliated with the game’s developer, Game Science.
🚫 Topics Streamers Were Told to Avoid:
- “Feminist propaganda”
- “Fetishization”
- “Negative discourse”
- Politics, COVID-19, and China’s gaming policies
This content restriction policy has led to accusations of censorship, particularly among Western audiences.
Many content creators refused to review the game, claiming it was an attempt to control discussion and silence criticism. Others defiantly challenged the restrictions by streaming the game with deliberately provocative titles.
📢 Examples of Protest:
- A Twitch streamer named Moonmoon titled his stream: “Covid-19 Isolation Taiwan (Is a Real Country) Feminism Propaganda”
- Another streamer, Rui Zhong, discussed China’s one-child policy while playing the game
In response, Chinese social media platform Weibo banned 138 users for violating its discussion guidelines, alleging they were “spreading gender opposition and personal attacks” instead of discussing the game itself.
📈 Has the Controversy Hurt the Game’s Success?
Despite the heated debate, Black Myth: Wukong has continued to break records and receive widespread praise.
💰 Game Sales & Achievements:
- $53 million in pre-sales
- 4.5 million copies sold in 24 hours
- Most-played single-player game in Steam history
Many gamers and analysts argue that the controversy has been overblown and does not impact the game’s quality or appeal.
🎙️ Expert Opinion:
According to Haiqing Yu, a digital media professor at RMIT University, the controversy is more about political correctness than actual censorship.
“Black Myth is an example of how China is expanding its cultural influence globally. I don’t see any censorship there.”
She suggests that the “Dos and Don’ts” list was likely an internal policy to prevent government scrutiny, rather than a top-down order from Chinese authorities.
“The company is covering itself. If the Chinese government questions them, they can say, ‘Look, we already told people not to talk about these things.’”
🏆 The Bigger Picture: China’s Entry into the Global Gaming Market
Black Myth: Wukong is more than just a video game—it represents China’s growing influence in the global gaming industry.
🚀 Key Takeaways:
✅ China’s first AAA game is a worldwide hit
✅ The game is driving interest in Chinese mythology and tourism
✅ Controversy over censorship has sparked debate but not slowed its success
As Chinese gaming studios continue to expand globally, Black Myth: Wukong may pave the way for more culturally rich, high-quality games from China.
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