China’s video gaming market is seeing a resurgence, with good single-player games like Black Myth: Wukong leading the charge. As the industry rebounds from a government-imposed ban and regulatory crackdown, the National Press and Publication Administration (NPPA) approved 109 new video games in September 2024, continuing a year-long trend of steady approvals. Among the new titles is a mysterious game from Tencent Holdings, the nation’s largest video game company by revenue. With an average of 107 games approved each month, China’s gaming sector appears to be back on track, and the recent success of Black Myth: Wukong could signal a turning point for the industry.
Revival of China’s Gaming Industry
China’s gaming business experienced major challenges in 2021 as a result of government crackdowns. With regulations capping their screen time at three hours per week, regulatory reforms dramatically curtailed the amount of time kids may spend gaming. To further restrain the sector, the NPPA also stopped awarding new gaming licenses for a number of months. During April 2022, just 468 domestic titles were approved during this freeze.
But the NPPA’s 2024 approach shows a clear change in its attitude. 959 games have been approved for publication in China as of September, suggesting that the government is taking steps to resurrect the sector. The September approvals demonstrate the consistent rise in game licensing and point to a more benevolent regulatory environment, even though they are marginally lower than the 117 titles granted in August—the largest number in a single month this year.
Tencent’s Mysterious New Title: Shou
One of the games approved for September release is named Shou, which is Tencent‘s game that means “hunting” in Chinese. Not much is known about the game, despite coming from Tencent, the biggest and most well-known gaming firm in the country. There is a sense of mystery around the game’s placement in the approval list because Tencent has not revealed information about its genre, development status, or release date.
With its well-known mobile and online titles like Honor of Kings and PUBG Mobile, Tencent has long held a commanding presence in the Chinese gaming market. Shou may be Tencent’s next major project, which makes its appearance on the September list noteworthy—especially in light of the success of other noteworthy games like Black Myth: Wukong.
Other Key Approvals in September
In addition to Tencent’s Shou, several noteworthy games were approved in September. Notably, the second-largest gaming firm in China, NetEase, approved the role-playing game Over Field. Another significant player in the Chinese gaming market is NetEase, which has produced games like Identity V and Fantasy Westward Journey. The company’s upcoming RPG will probably help its expanding library of well-received games.
Jianxiaqingyuan Ling, another authorized title, is produced by Seasun Games, a division of Kingsoft, a well-known Chinese software producer. This game is a component of Kingsoft’s continuous endeavors to increase its market share in the gaming sector. The September clearance list also included Maoxianzouelong, a smartphone game created by Guangzhou-based studio 37Games, demonstrating the variety of gaming content being produced in China.
Black Myth: Wukong – A Game-Changer for China’s Gaming Industry?
Black Myth: Wukong’s recent box office triumph may mark a turning point for the Chinese video game market. Black Myth, created by Hangzhou-based Game Science, a Tencent-backed studio, is considered to be China’s first AAA game, elevating the nation’s gaming industry on a global scale. The game is an action role-playing game for one person that was inspired by the well-known Chinese novel Journey to the West, published in the 16th century. Its one-time purchase price and deviation from the traditional microtransaction-heavy business model found in Chinese games are especially noteworthy.
Black Myth: Wukong was launched on August 20, 2024, and it has received a resoundingly great response both domestically and internationally. The game’s graphics, plot, and gameplay have all received positive reviews from both reviewers and players. Its sales stats, which established a record for games made in China with over 20 million units sold across PC and PlayStation 5, demonstrate its success.
The success of the game has rekindled conversations about the future of China’s gaming sector and its capacity to create additional AAA games that appeal to a worldwide consumer base. According to some industry analysts, Beijing’s stance to video game regulation may change as a result of Black Myth’s success. The success of Black Myth, according to Zhang Shule, an analyst at CBJ Think Tank, might persuade the Chinese government to grant more gaming licenses, particularly for excellent single-player games that can compete with foreign releases.
A Broader Impact on the Industry
The $45 billion video game market in China has long attracted attention from around the world, but changes in regulations have presented difficulties. On the other hand, the success of Black Myth and the rising number of game approvals in 2024 might herald a new age for Chinese game producers. This change may provide creators greater creative freedom and enable them to produce games that appeal to both native and foreign audiences.
According to the China Audio-Video and Digital Publishing Association’s Gaming Publishing Committee, video game income in China increased by 21% in August alone. The rise in demand for video games in China is mirrored in this increase, and Black Myth’s international success indicates that Chinese-developed games are becoming more popular outside of China as well.
China’s gaming sector is expected to grow as more games get approved, with a renewed emphasis on creating top-notch content that can compete on a worldwide scale. The future of gaming in China appears bright, with the NPPA having approved roughly 1,000 titles by 2024. It remains to be seen, though, if Shou and other prospective games will emulate Black Myth: Wukong.
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