The Black Myth: Wukong controversy has sparked widespread discussion, drawing attention to both the game’s success and the criticism it has faced. As a modern retelling of the legendary Monkey King from Journey to the West, the game has quickly became one of the most played games, captivating many players across the globe. Hailing from China, the game carries a sense of national pride, but also instigates negative discourse, particularly around its marketing tactics and handling of sensitive topics.
In this article, you’ll get a thorough analysis of the controversy, backed by well-researched facts from reputable sources presented by Business2Community. We’ll delve into the intricacies of the narrative and explore how the game’s release highlighted discussions about China’s game industry policies and its cultural impact.
Black Myth: Wukong Controversy – Key Facts
- The Black Myth: Wukong controversy began when influencers who received early access to the game were advised to avoid discussing topics like politics, COVID-19, and “feminist propaganda”, leading to backlash among fans and creators.
- Objections arose from influencers who saw the restrictions as censorship, with videos and comments pointing out that these guidelines stifled open discussions and critical perspectives on the game’s cultural impact.
- The controversy concluded as fans and media called out the restrictive guidelines, pushing Black Myth: Wukong developers to reassess how such policies might affect the fun and acceptance of future releases.
The Story of the Black Myth: Wukong Controversy
The release of the popular blockbuster Chinese video game Black Myth: Wukong has stirred controversy after influencers granted early access were advised to avoid mentioning politics, COVID-19, or “feminist propaganda” in their public discussions of the game.
What is Black Myth: Wukong?
Released on August 20, 2024, Black Myth: Wukong is an action role-player game (RPG) inspired by the classic narrative of “Journey to the West”. Developed by Chinese indie studio Game Science, the game has sold over 20 million copies, making it one of the fastest-selling games of all time. Despite being a single-player, premium game, it’s on track to surpass Western hits like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Hogwarts Legacy, and Spider-Man 2 in 2024.
The protagonist, based on the legendary Sun Wukong, is a shape-shifting monkey with extraordinary powers, known for his wisdom and martial prowess. Throughout the game, players navigate richly detailed environments, battling mystical creatures and uncovering secrets. The game is clearly inspired by Hidetaka Miyazaki’s world-famous Dark Souls series, featuring similar difficulty and mechanics.
The development of the game reflects an effort to capture the essence of Chinese mythology while appealing to a global audience. Though Wukong is neither China’s first AAA game nor its biggest, it stands out as a domestically made, culturally Chinese game that rivals Western and Japanese narrative games in visual and storytelling quality.
With the majority of sales in China, the game clearly has domestic appeal, contrasting with Western games that rarely reach significant sales within China.
Leaked Guidelines for Streamers
A few days before the release of Black Myth: Wukong, a leaked document appeared online that sparked controversy. The document, which was shared by French content creator and journalist Benoit “ExServ” Reinier on BlueSky, seemed to contain a list of “Dos & Don’ts” for streamers. It contained advice asking them not to discuss topics like politics, “feminist propaganda”, and COVID-19.
Reinier, who has been in the industry for 15 years and was previously the editor of French gaming site Gamekult, posted a video about the document, announcing he wouldn’t be streaming the game, aside from the discussion video.
The document, which included a “Dos” list with only one item — “Enjoy the game!” — also contained a “Don’ts” list with numerous requests, such as avoiding discussions on politics, violence, nudity, feminist themes, and any topics that could lead to negative discourse.
The guidelines also prohibited streamers from using “trigger words” like quarantine, isolation, or COVID-19 and discouraged any commentary on China’s game industry policies or related news.
A separate document provided to the press and critics, as part of a review embargo, didn’t contain these restrictions. Instead, it focused on avoiding spoilers, noting technical issues, and specifying PC requirements.
Gaming content agency and creators GLHF confirmed that Hero Games, which co-publishes Black Myth: Wukong and is a major shareholder in GameScience, sent the “Dos & Don’ts” document to Reinier and at least one other content creator. The email – sent from a Hero Games company address – included a Steam key and a request for the recipient to acknowledge the guidelines before creating content.
Reinier clarified to GLHF that the document wasn’t an NDA, and while he could have ignored the guidelines, he chose not to engage with the game due to his belief that such instructions shouldn’t be sent to content creators in the first place.
The game’s promotional strategy, seen by some as an effort to sidestep topics like sexism and feminism, has sparked controversy. Critics have pointed out that this avoidance could potentially reinforce misogynistic remarks, contributing to rampant sexism within both the gaming world and broader media narratives.
Backlash of Restrictions on Political and Social Topics
Following the release of Black Myth: Wukong, a Taiwanese Twitch streamer’s playthrough with provocative stream titles stirred controversy, subtly nodding to topics like feminism and COVID-19, which the game’s developers likely wished to avoid.
This reaction highlighted dissatisfaction with Game Science, the Chinese studio behind the game, especially among creators facing restrictions that discouraged discussion on politics, feminism, and other sensitive topics.
Select creators received content restrictions, while others, such as major review outlets, were exempt, adding fuel to the backlash against the game’s publisher, Hero Games. Streamers like linktothepabst pushed back, discussing sensitive cultural and political issues around Chinese censorship and gender biases.
I’m not going to let a studio/copublisher feel emboldened to send out a guideline like that. No spoilers? Sure. Don’t talk about mechanics? OK! But completely ignoring the culture you created? C’mon.
These restrictions were viewed as an attempt to control discourse around the game, sparking debates on censorship and freedom of expression.
Game Science’s Alleged Sexism and Workplace Culture
The studio behind Black Myth: Wukong, Game Science, faced renewed accusations of fostering a sexist workplace culture after reports surfaced of developers making demeaning and sexualized comments about women. Many in the Chinese gaming community, especially women, expressed discomfort over the pervasive use of sexual innuendo by Game Science staff.
An IGN report from November 2023 highlighted multiple instances of misogyny at the studio, detailing comments from Game Science employees that objectified women and perpetuated gender stereotypes. The report also verified recruitment posters from the company that featured offensive language, including remarks discouraging overweight individuals from applying.
Lead artist Yang Qi’s 2013 Weibo post was also cited, where he claimed that men and women have biologically different tastes in games, further intensifying the controversy. In his post, Qi expressed disdain for games he perceived as “for women”, using derogatory language to underscore his views.
Recent comments from technical artist Daiwei, who sexualized a female character from the game, illustrated how sexist attitudes persisted within the company. Co-founder Feng Ji also reportedly made crude remarks, using sexualized language when discussing hiring and the game’s promotion.
Several women from the Chinese gaming community shared their frustration with the unaddressed misogyny at Game Science, with one stating that women are viewed with disrespect and any attempt at inclusivity is dismissed as mere pandering. Despite the backlash, Game Science has not publicly addressed these allegations.
The Consequences of the Black Myth: Wukong Controversy
The release of Black Myth: Wukong became both a success story and a source of controversy. On its first day, the game became one of the most played games in China and quickly climbed sales charts globally. However, this success was accompanied by backlash over how the Wukong marketing team handled influencer content and sensitive topics, such as “feminism propaganda”, which some felt instigated negative discourse.
Content creators, particularly on platforms like YouTube, responded critically to the strict guidelines imposed by Hero Games, the co-publisher, advising influencers to avoid discussing politics, COVID-19, or gender-related themes. This move was viewed by many influencers as an attempt to control discourse around the game, leading to negative reactions and even some creators refusing to play or comment on the game.
The handling of these content restrictions, described by some critics as “bad faith” guidelines, led to a wave of disapproval from both international audiences and creators who wanted to discuss content related to the game’s themes without restrictions. Other influencers expressed concerns that the restrictions could suppress discussion of the game’s cultural context and impact.
Additionally, the game’s developer, Game Science, faced renewed scrutiny over allegations of sexist and inappropriate behavior within the company, stemming from earlier accusations by women in the Chinese gaming industry.
Niko Partners and other industry analysts have noted that the controversy has somewhat overshadowed the game’s release, potentially impacting its long-term brand image despite its immediate success as a globally recognized title.
What Can We Learn From the Black Myth: Wukong Controversy?
The Black Myth: Wukong controversy offers key insights into navigating global game launches in a world based on increasingly diverse cultural and ethical expectations. For companies like Game Science and their marketing teams, the case illustrates that maintaining transparency and respect for creators’ freedom of expression is crucial to avoid backlash.
Attempting to control or limit discussion can create negative impressions and alienate content creators, who are essential partners for any game’s success. In this case, gamers and creators on platforms like YouTube and news sites like Straits Times expressed disapproval over the strict content guidelines, which influenced how viewers around the world perceived the game.
The controversy also highlights how corporate culture impacts public perception. Reports of sexism and inappropriate behavior within Game Science illustrate the importance of fostering a respectful work environment. As public scrutiny of workplace practices grows, companies must understand that internal culture can influence their brand in global markets.
For the Wukong team, addressing these concerns openly could enhance the company’s reputation and show a commitment to ethical standards, reinforcing the positive aspects of the game itself, which successfully brought elements of Chinese mythology, such as the Six Relics, to a global audience.
In conclusion, the Black Myth: Wukong case underscores the need for game developers and marketing teams to approach international releases with care. Embracing open discourse, respecting the diversity of viewpoints, and fostering a workplace free from inappropriate behavior are all keys to achieving a brand image that will resonate positively with global players and influencers alike.