10 million copies, three days: How this Chinese game is creating new records

Black Myth: Wukong,

Black Myth: Wukong, the first AAA game developed by a Chinese studio – Hangzhou-based Game Science – has made an impact on the global gaming market by selling 10 million copies in its first week. The game developer  announced this news on X via games’ official handle.

According to the post, the game has crossed the 10 million mark by August 23, 09:00 pm Chinese Time (6:30 pm IST). The game was released on August 20 on Steam, PlayStation, and Tencent's WeGame.

Black Myth: Wukong has sold 10 million copies across all platforms.(Data as of 21:00 Beijing time, August 23, 2024)Thanks to all players worldwide for your support and love.Have a great gaming weekend!#BlackMythWukong pic.twitter.com/mp3mk9JxrX
Black Myth: Wukong (@BlackMythGame) August 23, 2024

10 million and counting
Black Myth: Wukong isn’t the only game that has sold in millions. However, it is among the biggest openings in the history of gaming and that makes it also one of the fastest-selling titles.

The game crossed the 4.5 million copies mark across the platforms in the first 24 hours. It surpassed the initial sales of major titles like Elden Ring and Cyberpunk 2077.

Compared to other popular titles, the game has sold almost twice as fast as others.  For instance. Hogwarts Legacy sold 15 million copies in three months, Elden Ring sold 13 million copies in its first month, and Cyberpunk 2077 reached 13.7 million in a month. Baldur's Gate 3 surpassed 20 million copies in five months, and Helldivers 2 sold 12 million in three months.

Black Myth: Wukong's strong debut has put it on track to surpass these titles, reflecting its popularity among gamers worldwide, particularly in China.

Development cost
The development of Black Myth: Wukong took over seven years. The production cost of the game has been reported around 50 million yuan (approximately Rs 58 crore).

Game is inspired by Chinese mythology.

Black Myth: Wukong is an action-RPG-based classic Chinese featuring the concept of "Journey to the West," with Monkey King, Sun Wukong, as the protagonist with extraordinary abilities. The game is inspired by Chinese mythology. The game features a range of foes, both familiar and new, challenging players in intense battles. Combat involves mastering various spells, transformations, and staff techniques, allowing players to develop unique strategies. Beyond combat, the game is said to have a strong storyline behind each character, revealing their backgrounds and motivations.