As the Sony PlayStation 5 nears the latter part of its lifecycle, the recent launch of the highly anticipated game Black Myth: Wukong has significantly boosted sales in the typically subdued Chinese market.
Black Myth: Wukong, developed by the Hangzhou-based studio Game Science and inspired by the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West, was released this week for both the PS5 and PC. The game’s debut has led to a remarkable surge in PS5 sales on Alibaba, doubling the year-on-year figures according to a Bloomberg report. This spike in sales suggests that gamers are eager to experience the new monkey-themed adventure.
Sony has faced challenges in gaining traction in the Chinese gaming market. By April 30, 2024, global PS5 sales had surpassed 56 million units. However, the last update on sales in China was in May 2022, when the total reached just 670,000 units. The actual number might be higher, considering the common practice of importing consoles into China.
Despite these hurdles, Black Myth: Wukong has made a significant impact. As one of the first major AAA games developed in China, it has quickly attracted a substantial global audience. The game features a single-player experience where players control the titular simian character and has achieved notable success. Upon release, it topped Steam’s most-played games chart with 1.4 million players.
The game has received positive critical feedback, boasting an 81% average rating from critics and an 84% average rating from users on Metacritic. This strong reception highlights the game’s appeal and suggests that it could play a crucial role in enhancing Sony's presence in the Chinese market.