Expensive Gaming Experience Awaits with Black Myth: Wukong, Priced at an Impressive RMB 268 by Game Science
The action role-playing game, Black Myth: Wukong, developed by Chinese game developer Game Science, has created a stir in the gaming world. Shrouded in immense anticipation due to its high-quality visuals, innovative gameplay, and the cultural significance of its story based on "Journey to the West," the game is set to release on August 20, 2024.
Game Science announced that the standard PC edition of the game will retail for RMB 268, a price point that aligns it with established international titles like Dark Souls 3 and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. This move challenges the prevailing low-price expectation among Chinese gamers, a tradition entrenched since the introduction of RMB pricing on Steam in 2015.
Historically, domestic games in China have adhered to a low-price strategy, even for major projects. For instance, Gujian 3 (Sword of Legends 3) was priced at RMB 99 when it launched in 2018. However, Game Science's decision to price Black Myth: Wukong higher than traditional domestic games signals confidence in the quality of the title and could potentially shift the industry.
Limited physical copies of the PC version of Black Myth: Wukong are available in deluxe and collector's editions, priced at RMB 820 and RMB 1,998, respectively. Game Science also offers a digital deluxe version of the game at RMB 328 and a RMB 60 upgrade pack for standard edition buyers to switch to the deluxe version.
The success of Black Myth: Wukong at this price point could pave the way for more ambitious projects and help elevate the reputation of Chinese games globally. If it fails to meet expectations, it may reinforce the status quo of low pricing and conservative development strategies.
The announcement of the price for Black Myth: Wukong has sparked considerable discussion, not only among gamers but also within the broader context of the domestic gaming industry in China. The game's promise of AAA quality from a Chinese developer has also sparked national pride and global interest.
The 2024 Tencent WeGame Game Night event was the setting for the announcement of the price for the highly anticipated game. The standard edition of Black Myth: Wukong will also retail on Steam for USD 60.
The low pricing tradition in China's gaming industry has created a market environment where high-quality Chinese games struggle to price themselves competitively against international titles. RMB 268 is a groundbreaking price in the historical context of China's gaming industry, where pricing has traditionally been kept low.
As the release date for Black Myth: Wukong approaches, the gaming community eagerly awaits to see if this game will indeed shift the industry and set a new standard for pricing in China's gaming market.
