Chinese online games, such as the globally celebrated "Genshin Impact," are expanding this influence, particularly among younger audiences. - Xinhua
BEIJING: Inspired by the 16th-century Chinese classic "Journey to the West," the video game "Black Myth: Wukong" has topped the wishlist chart on Steam, a global digital distribution platform for video games.
This is yet another testament to China's expanding cultural footprint beyond traditional boundaries, with video games becoming new ambassadors of its rich heritage.
New Lines Magazine in America highlighted the worldwide attention "Black Myth: Wukong" has attracted, saying it indicates that "China's investment in soft power is paying off."
This digital transformation is not an isolated event. In recent years, Chinese cultural exports have garnered international acclaim. From the literary success of the "Three-Body Problem" novels to the cinematic achievements of "The Wandering Earth" series and the global popularity of historical dramas like "Story of Yanxi Palace," China's cultural influence continues to grow.
Now, Chinese online games, such as the globally celebrated "Genshin Impact," are expanding this influence, particularly among younger audiences.
"Genshin Impact," an open-world adventure game, exemplifies this trend.
Released in September 2020, it quickly became a global sensation, praised for its stunning graphics, engaging storyline, and seamless integration of various cultural elements, including those from China.
The game's "Liyue" region, for example, features architecture inspired by classical Chinese buildings, and the characters' costumes incorporate traditional Chinese Hanfu clothing designs.
Events like the "Lantern Rite," celebrated in the game on the night of the first full moon in the year, mirror similar real-world Chinese festivals.
These cultural elements foster a deep connection with players globally, enriching their gaming experience.
Data from German statistics platform Statista shows that "Genshin Impact" is one of the fastest games to exceed US$100 million in player spending worldwide, achieving this milestone in just 13 days.
"The Diplomat," an online magazine, stated that "Genshin Impact" was the first Chinese video game to become a global hit, characterising the role-playing game's massive success as "a win for China's soft power."
These games, uniquely engage global players with Chinese culture by allowing them to participate and influence the story's development through "game language" over a long period of time, fostering extended interaction.
The upcoming release of "Black Myth: Wukong," scheduled for August, is highly anticipated.
Developed by Game Science, the game draws inspiration from "Journey to the West," one of China's most beloved classical works.
The novel follows the adventures of a monk and his three disciples, centering on Sun Wukong, or the Monkey King, who is known for his supernatural abilities and mischievous nature.
The influence of "Journey to the West" extends across China and beyond, especially East Asia.
The story has been adapted into numerous forms of media, including operas, TV series, films, and now video games.
On YouTube, many users from Asian countries have expressed how the game's trailer music evokes their childhood memories.
"I loved the Monkey King as a child. I can't even tell you how many times I read 'Journey to the West'," read a comment, written in Japanese.
China's domestically developed gaming products raked in US$16.37 billion in overseas sales in 2023, marking the fourth consecutive year this figure has surpassed 100 billion yuan, according to a report from the Game Publishing Committee of the China Audio-video and Digital Publishing Association.
As China continues to blend its rich cultural heritage with modern digital platforms, its influence on global pop culture is poised to grow, showcasing a dynamic and multifaceted image to the world, according to communication studies experts.
"Black Myth: Wukong" is not the only major gaming title set to satisfy the needs of gamers interested in China's rich culture this year.
"Phantom Blade Zero," developed by Beijing-based S-Game, has been touted as a fusion of traditional Chinese martial arts and fantasy.
Since early June, its latest trailer has garnered over 1.4 million views on PlayStation's official YouTube page, with the game's world tour demon running from June to September. – Xinhua/ANN
