A Chinese video game featuring an anthropomorphic monkey has ignited debates this week, especially due to its stance against “feminist propaganda.” This followed the release of the highly successful game, Black Myth: Wukong. The game’s developers sent out a list of prohibited topics for live-streamers, asking them to avoid discussing “feminist propaganda, fetishization, and other content that could lead to negative discussions.” Despite the controversy, the game became an instant hit, achieving the second-highest number of concurrent players on Steam with over 2.1 million users and selling more than 4.5 million copies within 24 hours of its launch.
Based on the classic 16th-century Chinese novel Journey to the West, the game is seen as a significant step in bringing Chinese stories to a global audience.
What Is Black Myth: Wukong?
Black Myth: Wukong is an action-packed, single-player game where you play as “The Destined One,” an anthropomorphic monkey with supernatural abilities. This character is inspired by Sun Wukong, or the Monkey King, a central figure in Journey to the West, one of the most important works of Chinese literature. The novel draws from Chinese mythology and incorporates elements from Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhist folklore.
It has been the inspiration behind numerous films, TV shows, and even popular anime like Dragon Ball Z and the 2008 movie The Forbidden Kingdom.
Why Is Black Myth So Popular?
The game was first teased in August 2020 with a viral trailer, leading to high anticipation over the following four years. Black Myth: Wukong is China’s first AAA game, designated for high-budget, high-quality games typically produced by major companies. The game’s top-notch graphics, intricate design, massive hype, and the size of China’s gaming community—the largest in the world—have all contributed to its success.
According to Professor Haiqing Yu from RMIT University, who specializes in China’s digital media, the game has resonated globally because it showcases Chinese culture in a way that appeals to players worldwide. This has sparked a sense of national pride in China, where the game’s success has even boosted tourism.
The Shanxi Province Department of Culture and Tourism released a video highlighting real-world locations featured in the game, leading to a surge in what is now known as “Wukong Travel.” TikTok videos show tourists flocking to these locations, with one user describing it as a “cultural rediscovery.”
Why Has It Sparked Controversy?
Before its release, some streamers revealed that the game’s developers had sent them a list of topics to avoid during live streams, such as “feminist propaganda,” “fetishization,” and other potentially controversial subjects. The term “feminist propaganda” wasn’t clearly defined, but a report by IGN in November suggested a history of inappropriate behavior at Game Science, the studio behind Black Myth. Other prohibited topics included politics, COVID-19, and China’s video game industry policies. These restrictions, issued by co-publisher Hero Games, sparked controversy outside China.
Some content creators refused to review the game, accusing the developers of censorship and attempting to suppress free speech. Others chose to ignore the warnings and discussed the banned topics anyway. For instance, a streamer named Moonmoon titled his Twitch stream “Covid-19 Isolation Taiwan (Is a Real Country) Feminism Propaganda,” while another streamer, Rui Zhong, talked about China’s one-child policy while playing the game. In response, Chinese social media platform Weibo banned 138 users for violating its guidelines when discussing the game.
Also Read: Black Myth: Wukong Game Ending Explained
Has the Controversy Affected the Game’s Success?
Despite the uproar, the controversy hasn’t significantly impacted the game’s popularity. Black Myth: Wukong made $53 million in pre-sales, with 4.5 million more copies sold within its first 24 hours, breaking the record for the most-played single-player game on Steam. On platforms like Weibo, Reddit, and YouTube, the overwhelming sentiment is one of celebration for the game’s success, with many arguing that the controversy has been blown out of proportion.
Professor Yu also sees the game as an “industry and overall market success,” noting that while censorship is a concern in China, Black Myth has effectively showcased Chinese culture to the world. She suggested that the list of “Dos” and “Don’ts” was likely a precautionary measure from the company to avoid trouble with Chinese authorities, rather than a directive from the government itself. In her words, the company was simply “covering their own bases,” making a politically correct gesture to avoid potential backlash.
