One of China’s greatest epic myths is its adaptation as a video game, allowing players to create their own stories as they embark on legendary journeys and fight fantastic enemies.
Most important points:
- Video games often downplay anything non-western, says an expert
- China’s game industry stands out rather than just contributing to projects led by western studios
- Black Myth: Wukong is slated for release in 2023
Black Myth: Wukong is far from the first attempt to recreate or interpret the adventures in Journey to the West; the 1980s cult Japanese TV show Monkey and Dragon Ball are just two of the many versions audiences outside of Asia may be aware of.
But the upcoming game is heralded as one of the most talked-about and successful adaptations of the 16th-century classic.
The high-quality art, animation, and audio featured in test footage released by indie developers Game Science had already led to comparisons to AAA titles.
“It immediately stands out as high quality,” Steven Conway, course director for games and interactivity at Swinburne University of Technology, told the ABC.
AAA games refer to high budget or high quality games, similar to a blockbuster.
But besides providing players with hours of fun, frustration and elation, it’s important that the game helps bring new ideas and diversity to the huge industry.
“Just as Hong Kong cinema, then Chinese cinema, and perhaps more recently South Korean cinema and television have influenced their Western counterparts, I think we will see a new generation of gamers and developers who are much more deeply influenced by different perspectives and mythologies outside of the western canon,” said Dr Conway.
China’s game industry is becoming its own creative force
Recently, the video game industry in China was a destination for outsourcing aspects of western projects, but it is now emerging with its own characteristics and creative leaders.
dr. Conway said the Chinese video game industry was beginning to distinguish itself as its own creative force.
“Too often in video games we see something non-western that is downplayed as an exotic other: alien, primitive or worse, just a homogeneous enemy to wipe out,” he said.
“Now, with voices from these cultures coming into the industry, we’re seeing much-needed nuance and detail added to these images.”
dr. Conway said he expected “many more” major titles to come from creators in different countries.
“It’s beneficial for everyone from the developer to the player,” he said.
Richer stories, deeper characters, interesting game mechanics that come from playful activities, toys and indeed value systems not found in western society.
“They all add value to the gaming ecosystem.”
Set for release in 2023, Black Myth: Wukong will be one of the first to use the latest version of the Unreal game engine, which is said to be the world’s most advanced 3D computer graphics game engine.
‘The story will be a joy to dive into’
Gamer and aspiring developer Trent Euman said he was looking forward to the game mainly for its narrative, artistic style and aesthetic.
“The focus on 16th century Chinese folklore will be intriguing to explore, and the realistic graphics will catch the eye of many players looking to immerse themselves in 16th century China,” he said.
“From what’s shown so far, the combat mechanics look nice to get into, the shine – special effects and visual audio feedback – look excellent, the environments look great and the folklore embedded in the story, will be a joy to dive into.”
Euman said there is a growing interest in games built on different languages and cultures, thanks to franchises like Yakuza, Shin Megami Tensei and Genshin Impact.
“Even triple AAA games are embracing this, with games like Ghost of Tsushima and Sekiro Shadows Die Twice allowing players to play the entire game in English or Japanese,” he said.
Different ways to play
Globalization and cheaper and easier access to creative tools like the Unreal engine will help drive more “multicultural developments,” said Dr. conway.
“I think we’re not just going to see a shift in the mythologies and the folktales… we’re going to see a shift in the values we’re exposed to and the way we think about how society works, which is really exciting.”
dr. Conway has worked with members of the Indigenous community in Australia to design a game.
“We couldn’t make what I would just call a western game for this demographic and staying true to the indigenous culture,” he said.
Through his work with the Indigenous community, he discovered that it was critical to have a type of gameplay that would be far more cooperative than what is found in the usually hostile, competitive, and combative mainstream Western games.
“We’ve seen this happen in a lot of Chinese and South Korean developments where you see these projects with very different points of mechanics and value systems, because they’re not part of Western culture,” said Dr. conway.
While Black Myth: Wukong is still being created and its success is yet to be seen, there are some other titles from different parts of the world that have gained popularity well beyond their culture or country of origin.
Stories from around the world come to life
Last year, Indian developers released Raji: An Ancient Epic, which has won awards and is available in multiple languages on major gaming platforms and devices.
It has the hallmarks of an adventure – a sister looking for her brother who was separated from her by attacking demonic hordes – and is set in ancient India.
“The whole game actively and creatively engages with Indian mythology,” said Dr. conway.
One of the better-known, more successful recent games, Never Alone/Kisima Ingitchuna, was created in collaboration with the Iñupiat, an Alaskan indigenous people.
“We paired world-class game makers with Alaska Native storytellers and elders to create a game that digs deep into the traditional lore of the Iñupiat people to present an experience like no other,” said the developer of the game. game.
Characters and environments were inspired by traditional art and “sweetened by collaboration with Alaska Native elders and artists”.
“This ensures that the look of the game stays true to traditional styles and offers a unique and inspiring visual presentation,” the developers said.
Chernobylite is a survival horror game that uses recreations of the real world mixed with elements of local folklore.
In it, players take on the role of a former physicist at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.
It features an intricate recreation of the area meticulously recreated by Polish developers.
“It engages Eastern European and Russian folklore in all sorts of interesting ways,” said Dr. conway.
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