China's Gaming Sensation: 'Black Myth: Wukong' Shatters Pre-Sales Records with $57 Million Haul

As the release date of the highly anticipated Chinese videogame "Black Myth: Wukong" approaches, the game has already made headlines with an astonishing 400 million yuan (approximately $57 million USD) in pre-sales. The game's developer, Hangzhou-based Game Science, has been working on the title for several years, and the hype surrounding its release has been evident on social media platforms.

On Weibo, China's equivalent of Twitter, users have been eagerly discussing the game's upcoming release, with many declaring their intention to take time off work to play it. One user joked that the game's significance was comparable to China's national soccer team qualifying for the World Cup. Another user estimated that the game's sales could reach 3 million copies, a number that would allow the game to break even.

The game's success has also had a positive impact on the stock market, with the share price of Huayi Brothers, a company closely related to the game's development, rising by 20% on the day of the pre-sales announcement, and reaching a cumulative increase of 43% since August 14th.

However, not everyone is optimistic about the game's prospects. One user commented on the game's high price point, stating that it would need to sell at least 3 million copies to break even, given the expensive standard and deluxe editions available on platforms like Steam, which are priced at 268 yuan and 328 yuan respectively.

Despite some doubts, the general sentiment on Weibo is one of excitement and anticipation. Many users have praised the game's unique cultural elements, based on the classic Chinese novel "Journey to the West", and its advanced gameplay. Some have even expressed gratitude for the game's ability to bring people together, allowing them to discuss and share their experiences.

One user, @鲸鱼娘西丝特, shared a video showcasing the game's impressive graphics and gameplay, stating that the game's developer, Game Science, had successfully created an IP that rivaled those of foreign AAA games. Another user, @郭嘉宁, joked that the game's popularity had already led to a significant increase in stock prices, and that people would likely be staying up all night to discuss the game.

While some users expressed concerns about the game's potential impact on society, with one user worrying about its potential to lead to sleep deprivation, the overall mood on Weibo suggests that "Black Myth: Wukong" is set to become a cultural phenomenon in China. With its global release set for August 20th, it remains to be seen whether the game will live up to the hype surrounding it.

Reactions from Weibo Users

• "The significance of this game is comparable to China's national soccer team qualifying for the World Cup!"

• "The game's sales could reach 3 million copies, a number that would allow the game to break even."

• "The game's high price point is a bit of a concern, but I still can't wait to play it!"

• "I haven't seen a game that can unite people like this in a long time. Can't wait for the release!"

• "The game's developer has successfully created an IP that can rival those of foreign AAA games."

Key Figures

• 400 million yuan: the game's pre-sales revenue

• 43%: the cumulative increase in Huayi Brothers' stock price since August 14th

• 268 yuan: the standard edition's price on Steam

• 328 yuan: the deluxe edition's price on Steam

• 3 million: the estimated number of copies the game needs to sell to break even

• August 20th: the game's global release date