Black Myth: Wukong, the most anticipated Chinese video game in history, has sparked a global debate over censorship after attempts to silence overseas streamers from discussing politically sensitive topics. This incident sheds light on the restrictive environment for content creators dealing with Chinese media and highlights the complexities of China’s push to become a cultural superpower.
The Censorship Controversy
Ahead of its debut, Black Myth: Wukong’s marketing partner, Hero Games, sent a document to influential streamers with a list of forbidden topics, including “feminist propaganda,” Covid-19, and China’s video game industry policies. The move aimed to prevent “negative discourse” around the game, which is based on the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. Benoit Reinier, a prominent French YouTube streamer and journalist, voiced his outrage in a video, stating, “I have never seen anything that shameful in my 15 years doing this job. This is very clearly a document which explains that we must censor ourselves.”
Reinier was offered a free virtual key to stream the game, a common practice in the industry, but the accompanying guidelines led him to refuse to participate. The document linked to the key specified the essential “dos and don’ts regarding content creation,” essentially asking streamers to self-censor when discussing the game. “The moment I saw the restrictions, I knew I couldn’t, in good conscience, promote this game,” Reinier said.
A Landmark for China’s Gaming Industry
Black Myth: Wukong is more than just a game; it’s a landmark moment for China’s gaming industry. Considered the country’s first “AAA” title, the game boasts a budget exceeding $50 million and showcases sophisticated gameplay and advanced graphics. The game’s protagonist, Sun Wukong, also known as the Monkey King, battles enemies with a staff in a visually stunning world inspired by Chinese mythology. Within hours of its release, the game saw over 1.5 million players on Steam, making it the platform’s top game at the time.
However, the controversy surrounding censorship adds a layer of complexity to the game’s success. While the game has garnered national pride, becoming a top trending topic on Weibo, it also faces criticism, particularly over past sexist comments made by the game’s developers, Game Science. The hashtag “Black Myth: Wukong insults women” has been viewed millions of times on Weibo, reflecting ongoing public dissatisfaction.
The Impact of China’s Gaming Regulations
China’s gaming industry has been under strict government scrutiny for years. The government has implemented regulations to limit young people’s gaming time, citing concerns over addiction and moral corruption. These restrictions have impacted the industry, which is largely dominated by mobile games. Black Myth: Wukong represents a departure from this trend, targeting a global audience with a big-budget console and PC release.
The game’s release aligns with China’s broader efforts to project its “soft power” globally. The Chinese government sees cultural exports like Black Myth: Wukong as crucial to enhancing its international influence. The game’s success is seen as not just a win for the gaming industry but as a significant step in China’s cultural expansion. State media, such as the Yangcheng Evening News, praised the game as “not only a victory for the gaming industry but also an important milestone in the overseas expansion of Chinese culture.”
The Role of State Influence
The influence of the Chinese state is evident in the game’s development and marketing. Tencent Holdings, one of China’s largest technology conglomerates and the top video game publisher, holds a 5% stake in Game Science. Additionally, the game’s publisher, Zhejiang Publishing & Media, is majority-owned by the Zhejiang provincial government, further highlighting the close ties between the game and the Chinese state.
The Department of Culture and Tourism in Shanxi Province even released a video showcasing landmarks featured in the game, underscoring the government’s role in promoting the game as a cultural export. However, this state influence also brings challenges, as the recent censorship controversy demonstrates.
Closing Credits
As Black Myth: Wukong continues to gain global attention, the game exemplifies the tension between China’s cultural ambitions and the restrictive domestic environment that shapes its creative industries. The game’s success on the global stage is undeniable, but the censorship controversy serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in China’s push to become a global cultural powerhouse.
Source: New York Times
