Hit video game Wukong boosts Chinese economy

The most ambitious video game ever produced in China is helping to boost the national economy.

Sun Wukong, a fictional Monkey King, is the titular hero of Black Myth: Wukong, China's first AAA game and a certified international smash hit.

Developed by homegrown firm Game Science, the single-player action RPG (role-playing game) is rooted in ancient Chinese mythology, and features a character from the 16th century classic Chinese novel Journey to the West.

But, although the game's inspiration is decidedly timeworn, the positive reaction from the global gaming community has been instantaneous.

Within just three days of its release on August 20, more than 10 million units had been sold and interest continues to grow with close to 700,000 positive reviews on download platform Steam.

In fact, Black Myth has become so popular it's helped to drive a wave of business opportunities across multiple sectors, some of them rather surprising.

Although you might expect computer merchandise, including graphic cards and other peripherals, to be in high demand following the release of a popular game, co-branded goods are also selling out fast, including everything from coffee to stamps, bikes to clothing.

GCORES sells a range of clothing featuring designs of Sun Wukong. Its CEO Zhao Xia says the collaboration has "exceeded our expectations," selling almost as much as the company's other series have sold in a year.

There's also been a boost in tourism. In Shanxi province, where most of the game is based, they've seen a surge in Wukong-inspired travel.

Gamers are flocking to the area to check out architectural marvels at sites including the Yungang Grottoes and the almost 1,000-year-old Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, both of which appear in the game.

Tourist tours

Tour guides have quickly caught on to the demand, offering special tours for visitors who want to learn as much about the inspiration for the game's stunning visuals as they do ancient Chinese culture.

Meanwhile China has also seen a surge in bookings at hotels that cater to gamers.

Operators say many of their multi-person rooms have sold out since Black Myth was released and bookings look set to remain high, even with some room rates priced at more than double the normal level.

Without a doubt it's a huge success, but commentators believe the economic benefits could be just the tip of the iceberg.

The nation's first AAA game has been such a resounding success it's likely to inspire a new era for China's gaming industry, with a focus on even more ambitious projects.

Although the costs and therefore the risks of such endeavors are significantly higher, developers who manage to find that magic formulae will earn huge rewards, not just for themselves but for the whole Chinese economy.

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